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It was reported last week via Cal Rivals that Cal basketball recruiting target Ivan Rabb (CGB scouting report) had two schools in the lead.
Per a source NAMED IVAN RABB who we SPOKE WITH two schools are pulling away, but he hasn't made a decision ($) https://t.co/b0rwTn0mbF
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) March 17, 2015
Just chatted one on one with Ivan Rabb-- he said both he and Swanigan "loved" Cal when they visited. More coming on @CalRivals!
— Lindsay Brauner (@lindzcatharine) March 14, 2015
Rabb also told me that right now he does have a clear front runner in his mind as far as where he's going but keeping to himself for now.
— Lindsay Brauner (@lindzcatharine) March 14, 2015
ICYMI, Ivan Rabb talked 2 me about the commitment rumors, and his game against Folsom last night: http://t.co/vDHaz6tIcf #Cal #CalBasketball
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 18, 2015
Thanks to this video from ESPN, we now know that the top two programs are Cal and Arizona, with one of them probably in the lead. UCLA is rumored to be in third, with Kentucky and Kansas elsewhere in the top five.
Let's take a look at each of the programs and see what the appeal is for Rabb for each of these schools.
Cal: It's the hometown school. Cuonzo Martin has the best relationship with Rabb and his family. One of the coaching staff has been to pretty much every game Rabb has played in his senior season. It sounds as if Cal is the program leading, although the decision is far from over.
Arizona: It's the established program. It has proven that it can put big men in the NBA, including big men in the Oakland Soldiers pipeline (see Aaron Gordon). It's the team that can offer Rabb the most national exposure if he proves to be a one-and-done talent as many people think he will be.
You can see that it's still unclear as to who's in the lead. Jeff Borzello says that Cal is currently the team in pole position, while Jeff Goodman counters that Arizona will eventually win out in the end, especially if Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley leave and open up room in the frontcourt.
And here we go.
(Rabb & Bishop O'Dowd won the NorCal Open Title, beating Modesto Christian 56-47. Bishop O'Dowd will face Mater Dei for the state title at Haas Pavilion.)