UPDATE:
Harry Giles’ recruitment became as good as over at about midday Friday, as the five-star power forward committed to Duke University.
No. 1 recruit Harry Giles commits to Duke
He picked Duke over Kansas, Kentucky and Wake Forest
— Phil Murphy © (@Phil_Sports) November 6, 2015
The Blue Devils now have the No. 1 class in the country, according to 247Sports. Coach Mike Krzyzewski has also reeled in five-star forward Jayson Tatum (247Sports No. 4), five-star guard Frank Jackson (No. 14), and four-star forward Javin DeLaurier (No. 40) in the 2016 class, and still has a chance at Marques Bolden, a center that is hovering around the four and five-star range.
If 247Sports’ rankings hold, it will be Duke’s fourth year in a row having a top five recruiting class.
— End Update —
Harry Giles Jr. confirmed to ESPN on Thursday that his son, Harry Giles III, has a “partially torn” ACL that was suffered less than two minutes into Giles’ game Tuesday night.
Giles is the top recruit in the class of 2016 according to ESPN’s rankings, and the second best player in the class according to 247Sports. The senior transferred to the prestigious Oak Hill Academy for his final season, and the Warriors were expected to be the best high school team in the country this year.
Giles is effectively out for the rest of the Warriors’ season.
ESPN’s Jeff Goodman did provide some good news for Giles, though:
Giles’ torn ACL is in his right knee and isn’t nearly as bad as when he tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee back in 2013, source told ESPN
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 5, 2015
Giles had suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the summer before his sophomore year, an injury he has fully recovered from.
His determination to come back from injuries was an inspiring story for many, something many recruiting analyst, including myself, have come to respect.
Harry Giles tore his left ACL and MCL two summers ago, but was back to being the dominant No. 1 prospect he was pre-injury. So unfortunate.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 5, 2015
Feel awful for @TheReal_HG3. Had a convo w/ him this summer about his recovery last time around. He was starting to get comfortable again.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) November 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/DPrez304/status/662329100988776449
The power forward had already set his decision date for Friday, November 6th, and he will still be announcing on that day at noon ET. His decision will air on Sportscenter, according to ESPN. Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and Wake Forest are all in the mix for Giles, although Duke seems to be the heavy favorite at this point in his recruitment according to 247Sports.
Announcement tomorrow from Harry Giles. @BlueDevilLair w the report. Duke almost 100% in Crystal Ball. https://t.co/B5CtgfUhIc
— Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) November 5, 2015
The injury should not drastically affect Giles’ rankings, as his body of work is solid, and he has shown that he can come back from injury. It certainly is a tough break for a hardworking kid, though.
Giles’ announcement Friday will take place at Oak Hill Academy.
