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2020 Canes Hoops Signing Day Central

2020 Canes Hoops Signing Day Central

For the fourth time under Jim Larrañaga, the Miami men’s basketball program has pulled in a recruiting class with two Top 100 prospects. Earl Timberlake and Matt Cross join a talented and experienced roster looking to make it back to the NCAA Tournament in 2020-21.

Social media reaction, takes from the experts, it’s all here on 2020 Canes Hoops Signing Day Central!

EARL TIMBERLAKE
Guard – Washington, D.C.
No. 24 Prospect (Rivals)

A native of Washington, D.C., Earl Timberlake is a 6-foot-6, 215-pound guard out of DeMatha Catholic (Md.)

“A tremendous competitor and outstanding two-way player, Earl has the ability to elevate our program as he elevates his game,” Larrañaga said. “He comes from one of the most traditionally strong high school basketball programs in the country. That has prepared him very well to compete at the highest level of college basketball immediately.”

Timberlake is one of the most well-regarded prospects to ever sign with the Hurricanes. He is considered a five-star recruit by Rivals, which ranks him No. 24 nationally.

In addition, Timberlake checks in at No. 32 on both 247Sports and ESPN, as well as No. 27 in the 247Sports Composite. Each site considers Timberlake the best prospect in the state of Maryland, with Rivals and 247Sports tabbing him as the fifth-best small forward in America.

Jeff Borzello (ESPN): Earl Timberlake should make an immediate impact at Miami. He’s been a touted prsopect since early in his high school career, but it got to the point where he became underrated to end his senior year. Timberlake has a great physical profile and is a terrific playmaker for someone his size. He can create off the bounce, finish at the rim, make shots and is a capable defender and rebounder. I think he will be a key piece early for Jim Larrañaga.

Eric Bossi (Rivals): “Earl Timberlake is one of the toughest and most versatile wing players in the class of 2020. He is a skilled competitor who never backs down from a challenge. He has been well prepared in high school and on the grassroots basketball circuit to be an impact player in the ACC.”

Evan Daniels (247Sports): “Earl Timberlake is a tough, physical and aggressive wing that will bring versatility to Miami’s perimeter. Timberlake excels on the defensive end and in transition, but his skill and playmaking has continued to progess during his career.”

Earl Timberlake Highlights

Social Media Reaction

 

Matt Cross
Forward – Beverly, Mass.
No. 77 Prospect (ESPN)

A native of Beverly, Mass., Matt Cross is a 6-foot-6, 225-pounder who plays for one of the nation’s top prep basketball programs, Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.

“Matt is the definition of hard-nosed. He’s an outstanding 3-point shooter, a great team-oriented player and has an extreme toughness that will allow him to compete against the best players in the ACC,” Larrañaga said. “Matt is joining us after a year at Brewster Academy, which has produced some of the best college and NBA prospects. So, he will be very well-prepared for the challenges in the ACC.”

Hailing from the same high school Miami freshman forward Anthony Walker graduated from, Cross checks in as the No. 77 prospect in the nation in the ESPN Top 100.

247 Composite considers Cross the No. 83 player in the country, including the No. 17 power forward, while Rivals has him No. 89 overall and also No. 17 among power forwards. According to 247Sports, Cross held offers from schools such as Butler, Florida, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa, Penn State, South Carolina and Texas A&M.

 

Scout Takes

Toughness, range from deep and a winning mentality…

That’s what @matthewcross35 is bringing down from Massachusetts to Miami. pic.twitter.com/aEr2DXuGen

— Canes Hoops (@CanesHoops) April 16, 2020

Adam Finkelstein (ESPN): “Matt Cross is an ultra-tough competitor who loves contact, stretches the floor with his shooting range and has a great nose for the ball coming off the glass. He’s taken his game to new levels in the last 18 months by sculpting his frame and starting to diversify his offensive game.”

Evan Daniels (247Sports): “Matt Cross exudes toughness. He’s a high-level competitor that doesn’t backdown. He plays a physical brand of ball, pursues every rebound and provides value with his shot making and shooting.”

Eric Bossi (Rivals): “Matt Cross is a skilled forward with toughness who can play multiple roles. He can post up against smaller players and has the perimeter skill and touch to spread the floor while playing away from the basket. He doesn’t back down from a challenge and embraces competition.”

Cross & Timberlake Make It 11 ESPN Top-100 Prospects Under Coach L
For the fourth time under Jim Larrañaga, the Miami men’s basketball program has pulled in a recruiting class with two Top 100 prospects.

 

Matt Cross Highlights

Social Media Reaction

 

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