The #10 ranked player in the ESPNU Terrific 25, Jean – Pierre (J.P.) Tokoto, has quickly become one of the most highly thought of players in the country despite only being a sophomore in high school. At 6’6″ , and growing, 190 pounds, Tokoto exploded earlier this summer with his ability to get to the rim off the bounce, his ability to move without the ball and his silky smooth moves on the perimeter. With his size, length and skill set it’s not surprising that some of the top college basketball programs in the country are hoping that Tokoto arrives on their campus in 2012.
One of them is Kansas head coach, Bill Self. Self and his staff have long been aware of Tokoto and were even more impressed after getting a closer look at him during KU’s Elite camp over the summer. Since then, Tokoto has been one of the hottest names on the recruiting trail. Coaches from Wisconsin, North Carolina, Kentucky and many more have all made the trip to see Tokoto. Self will make his way north on Tuesday, according to the Director of the Wisconsin Playground Warriors, Tokoto’s summer team, Ritchie Davis.
“Jean-Pierre’s schedule is extremely hectic right now,” Davis said. ”Coach Self is coming up to Milwaukee this afternoon and he is then attending J.P.’s game tonight before departing back to Lawrence, Kansas,” added Davis.
Playing in front of staff members from some of the top basketball schools in the country is nothing new for Tokoto. In fact, last Friday alone, Tokoto was the star of the show in front of multiple coaches. One coaching staff was so impressed with Tokoto that they wasted little time in extending a scholarship offer to him.
“Last Friday night, J.P. played in front of Bo Ryan (head coach) and Greg Gard (associate head coach) from the University of Wisconsin; Roy Williams (head coach) and C.B. McGrath (assistant coach) from the
University of North Carolina and Orlando Antigua (assistant coach) from the University of Kentucky,” said Davis. “Coach Cal (Calipari) called that evening as well to extend a scholarship offer to J.P. from the University of Kentucky,” added Davis.
It doesn’t stop there for Tokoto, coaches from Florida, Marquette, Michigan State and Minnesota are all scheduled to make stops in Menomonee (WI) on Thursday.
As for a trip to Kansas, that is something that is still in the works between Tokoto and the Kansas staff. Tokoto was originally scheduled to attend ‘Late Night in the Phog’ back in October, but ended up canceling that visit due to some school obligations. According to Davis, a trip is most certainly still in the works.
“In regards to J.P. making the trip to Kansas for a game, I do know that his father and Coach Dooley (Kansas assistant) are trying to figure out a game that works well for both sides,” said Tokoto.
If a trip to Kansas is going to happen during the 2009-2010 season, it will have to be squeezed into Tokoto’s already loaded schedule. Aside from his own basketball season and school, Tokoto has plans to visit North Carolina on February 10th, Kentucky on February 13th, Marquette on February 18th and Wisconsin on February 21st.
The visits won’t likely stop there for Tokoto. Tokoto is hoping to check out an ACC powerhouse in additon to the Jayhawks.
“He and his family are currently looking into attending games at Duke and Kansas as well,” said Davis.
With four unofficial visits already planned, and the hopes of adding two more, Tokoto will likely have to complete the visit before starting his own title run in early March.
“The W.I.A.A. high school playoffs begin in Wisconsin on Tuesday, March 2nd,” said Davis. “Therefore, depending on how well J.P.’s team does, he may not be able to make any games in March due to scheduling conflicts and his desire to focus entirely on helping his high school team advance as far as possible in post-season competition,” he added.
With an already impressive list of schools that have offered scholarships to the 2012 smooth swing forward, Tokoto will surely be adding multiple schools to that list over the coming months.
“J.P. currently has scholarship offers from Duke, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Marquette, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin,” said Davis. ”He is receiving very, very strong interest from North Carolina. He is also being actively recruited by Arizona, Boston College, Florida, Michigan State and UCLA,” added Davis.
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