Ryan Arcidiacono, Savon Goodman and Daniel Ochefu are among the top Philadelphia-area high school basketball players in the 2012 class. All three have committed to play together at Villanova and all three have very publicly stated that they are hoping to bring blue-chipper Amile Jefferson along with them to the Main Line.
The Villanova 2012 recruiting class has already been ranked in the top-two in the nation without Jefferson, and may well be the top class in the nation if they add that last piece. Amile has been ranked anywhere from 12th to 33nd in recruiting-service rankings and has been ranked third in the country at his position.
Like Savon Goodman, Jefferson has a tremendous ability to finish in the paint, and has excelled in the transition game; his ability to run the floor will make him an asset to an up-tempo offensive scheme.
According to sources, it isn't just the three 2012 Villanova commits who are giving Jefferson the full-court-press lately. Jay Wright was spotted at the Hoop Group West Virginia JamFest this past weekend, and he watched every minute of Amile Jefferson's Team Philly games.
For 2012 the Wildcats are currently one-scholarship over the limit, but in the event that a player leaves early, transfers or is willing to forgo a scholarship, it is possible that a high-level prospect like Jefferson could be brought in.
As far as his recruitment, Jefferson claims he is still wide-open, with offers from NC State, Villanova, Maryland, Ohio State and West Virginia among others.
Jefferson isn't the only 2012 player that the 'Cats have in their sights, however. They reportedly offered Kris Dunn, a 4-star 2012 point guard from Connecticut just last week. Dunn plays on the same AAU team as top-prospect Andre Drummond and has blown up a bit recently. In three years he already has the all-time steals record at his high school and considerd defense to be his strong point. He is 6'3" tall with a lot of length, allowing him to play at either guard position, he can shoot off the pass or dribble with accuracy or drive to the rim in the open or half-court. He has a tendency to take risks with the ball and that has held him back a bit, but he has picked up steam and scouts are now seeing him as a legitimate high-major prospect.
Jay Wright also spent some time in Morgantown watching the New Heights AAU squad in action, and it is believed he was trying to get a look at 2013 big man, Jordan Washington who has previously expressed some interest in Villanova.