AJ Youngman commits to ..

[Deadguy35]

Suppose he has a super season this year at Manual - and gets better offers - any chance he would flip ? EKS had a sub 500 season and the coach might not survive another one if the program is commited to winning -- Id say the same with Demonte Williams - Illinois coach is on the hot seat also

Most players sign NLIs before the season starts.

Most colleges do not send scouts to high school games where you are probably not going to see any D1 players outside of the player you are recruiting. They'd rather go to AAU events where they can see a large collection of D1 talent in a single setting. This is why you see a flurry of offers and commits in July, which is the most important month in terms of college recruiting.

Also, the high majors usually have a full class before the season starts. Players who sign in the spring are usually going to sign with low to mid majors.

AJ commited to EKU because he feels comfortable there and likes the coach and the setting. Anything can happen, like a coaching change, but other than that, I don't see why AJ would go somewhere else. It seems like a place where he can contribute and get solid minutes.

[tornado]

if some coach really wants him, then he will hear about it and back out of signing a LOI - but if he signs in November - then he's about 80-90% locked in unless he wavers and heads to juco or prep school.
Time will tell, but like you, I think he has made a very good choice...
EKU has won their conference & gone to the NCAA 3 times since 2005 - not bad...
They have played in other post-season tourneys 3 other times since 2010

they have good fans despite being overshadowed a lot by the other big in-state schools...and since AJ lived right there in Greenup County, KY when his dad was the basketball coach there (Greenup Co HS is a couple hours drive from EKU) & in Bardstown when his dad coached Nelson HS (that's only 1.5 hours away) - so he is likely very familiar with the area and has a better grasp on if or why he'd want to play there than any of us.
Who knows - it's also possible the family would or could move back down there where dad Jim Youngman has quite a good reputation for building high school programs and coaching success - it maybe be enough to lure him back into the coaching profession? Time will tell. I have met them, they are very good people, strongly family oriented and successful.

[tornado]

..
But we haven't had any decent high school coverage in several months! Something changed recently - layoffs maybe??....virtually zilch coverage - but they send about 10 people to cover track and bowling since they sponsor a track meet. Self-serving only..

If they spent 1/10th the amount of time & effort to cover local sports as they did to cover some obscure columnist shaving off his beard - then I'd be happy... ;

Now, about 24 hours after that statement - the PJS is advertising to hire a new "preps reporter"..

We have an opening for lead preps reporter at the Journal Star.

https://www.facebook.com/kirk.wessler/posts/10153760095897544

[Da Coach]

I thought Kirk's son Josh was covering high school sports.

[tornado]

AJ Youngman's dad was in the news...
Jim Youngman was offered the Midland HS coaching job & almost took it,but declined

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20160805/midland-hoops-coach-candidate-says-no-twice

[Da Coach]

I have just heard from a reliable source that A.J. Youngman is not at Manual HS, and has not been there apparently since the school year started 3 weeks ago.

He is verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky, but he has not signed a binding NLI yet.

[egib52]

That is interesting based on his dad's comments in this story:

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20160805/midland-hoops-coach-candidate-says-no-twice

[Da Coach]

That is interesting based on his dad's comments in this story:

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20160805/...-says-no-twice

Thanks for reminding of that. The comments about AJ needing to stay at Manual and turning down the Midland job seem odd now.

"It's important that A.J. finish his schooling at Manual. The people at Manual have treated him extremely well,” said Youngman adding that he felt the family would have to move because “it wouldn’t be fair to the Midland district” to commute. “He’s in a great place. I just don’t think (moving) would have been a great thing for him.”

For the record, I do not believe Midland HS has hired a boy's basketball head coach yet. The IHSA website still shows the position TBA-

http://www.ihsa.org/data/school/schools/2203.htm

And, it was reported earlier that A.J. Youngman did not play AAU ball this summer like nearly all D1 prospects do.

[tornado]

I have just heard from a reliable source that A.J. Youngman is not at Manual HS, and has not been there apparently since the school year started 3 weeks ago.

He is verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky, but he has not signed a binding NLI yet.

very interesting...can't wait to see what's happening....

[Da Coach]

We're hearing followup reports on A.J. Youngman. He still has not attended any classes at Manual the first 3 weeks, but now intends to return, possibly next week. After considering a transfer, and after looking into prep schools, he and his family decided to return to Manual HS for his senior season.

[egib52]

Any confirmation that he returned to Manual?

[Buesch N Chips]

If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is.

[Chico]

If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is.

The picture is a case of fixing something that isn't broken.

[tornado]

Congratulations to AJ Youngman-
signed his LOI to Eastern Kentucky University today