EYBL 17U Session II | 2018 Nike EYBL (Indianapolis)

Vernon Carey Discusses Top 5 Schools At Nike EYBL Session II

Vernon Carey Discusses Top 5 Schools At Nike EYBL Session II

Vernon Carey Jr. discusses how the best coaches in college basketball recruit him to their program.

Apr 28, 2018 by Adam Zagoria
Vernon Carey Discusses Top 5 Schools At Nike EYBL Session II

INDIANAPOLIS — Vernon Carey Jr., the 6-foot-11 class of 2019 power forward from Nike Team Florida, couldn't help but notice some of the top names in college basketball sitting courtside for his first game at the Nike EYBL session here on Friday night. 

Michigan State's Tom Izzo, Miami's Jim Larranaga, Kentucky's Kenny Payne, and Duke's Jon Scheyer were among the coaches watching the Flo40 No. 1-ranked player and his athletic teammate Scottie Barnes. North Carolina's Roy Williams and Hubert Davis were also on hand for Carey and other recruits.


"Yeah, I notice them," Carey told FloHoops.com. "They just texted me before the game, tell me they're going to be there. They just wish me luck."

Carey recently had in-home visits with Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Miami.

Michigan State has also been active for Carey.

"They just tell me that I can be a go-to guy and help build their program," he said. 

Carey's father, Vern Carey Sr., was an offensive tackle at Miami in the 2000s and the school has been recruiting his son hard.

"That I could just continue the legacy that my dad started," Carey Jr. said of Miami's message.

Kentucky offered Carey's teammate Barnes, a sophomore wing, and also is active for Carey.

"They produce bigs and if you're trying to go one-and-done, then that's the place to go," he said.

North Carolina talked to him about the development of big guys.

"Coach Roy just talked about developing the big guys like Luke Maye and other people," he said.

Duke has targeted Carey among its priorities for 2019.

"Coach K said I'm a special player and he felt he can take my game to the next level," he said.

Kansas has also "started getting involved a little bit more," he said.

With Duke and Kentucky known for producing one-and-dones, Carey could potentially end up in the 2020 NBA Draft after one year in school. So could Barnes, assuming the NBA abandons the one-and-done rule by 2020, which has been discussed.

"I don't think it will affect me because I'm 2019, but it will probably effect Scottie, my teammate," Carey said. Barnes said he would rather have the "college experience" and doesn't envision going preps to pros at this point.

For his part, Carey likes the idea of getting rid of one-and-done but says he also wants to go to college.

"I don't think I would [do it]," he said of going straight to the pros. "Probably just go to college to experience it."

In the meantime, Carey's goal for the summer is to make Peach Jam and "just try to win it."

"I fell we can go all the way if we just keep on pushing it," he said. "Just getting better chemistry and stuff."


Adam Zagoria is a basketball insider who runs ZAGSBLOG.com and contributes to The New York Times. Follow Adam on Twitter.