Fox Sports recruiting writer Evan Daniels reported that ESPN has learned that it’s down to either the Jayhawks and Blue Devils for both players. Jones told USA Today that there will be no curious hat dances or dekes that come from his announcement.

“I'm just gonna be straightforward with it,” Jones told USA Today. “I'll have all of my family and school there with me in the gym supporting me and that's the way I wanted it.”

Both schools have left open spots where the 6-11 Okafor (Chicago's Whitney Young High) and Jones (Apple Valley, Minn.) would fit. Duke’s only commitment thus far is 6-4 shooting guard Grayson Allen from Jacksonville, Fla., while Kansas’ only recruit is a shooting guard of its own in the 6-7 Kelly Oubre from Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev.

Seeing this duo land in Durham would give coach Mike Krzyzewski something his team lacks this year—a true big man like Okafor. Those watching Tuesday’s Champions Classic noticed that the Blue Devils were using 6-8 Jabari Parker as their center, an indication of their lack of quality depth inside. And let’s not discount Krzyzewski’s involvement in USA Basketball and his presence at the U19 training camp, where Okafor got to see what Coach K is like in a basketball setting.

Seeing Okafor and Jones land in Lawrence would give Kansas three of the top 12 players in 2014 according to Sporting News, and that number could grow to four if Cliff Alexander, SN’s No. 5 recruit, picks the Jayhawks over Memphis and Illinois. Alexander is also committing Friday at 4 p.m., as is Stanley Johnson, SN’s No. 7 recruit, making for one big recruiting bonanza today.


ARIZONA'S SOLDIERS PIPELINE


If Stanley Johnson commits to Arizona, as the Los Angeles Times reports he will, he’ll be the fourth straight prospect plucked from the Oakland Soldiers AAU team to head to Tucson, after Aaron Gordon in 2012, Brandon Ashley in 2011 and Nick Johnson in 2010.

Johnson, the 6-7 shooting guard from Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif., would join Craig Victor, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and junior college transfer Kadeem Allen in Arizona’s 2014 class.

What does Johnson bring to the table? Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy says Johnson “has been exceedingly well coached throughout his development, whether it was by the Soldiers staff, by Mater Dei legend Gary McKnight or even by his mother, Karen Taylor, a Jackson State Hall of Famer who played professionally in the U.S. and Europe.”

Johnson is choosing between Arizona, Kentucky and USC, and while the Trojans are the closest to his home, he sounds mature enough to go where his basketball heart leads.

“I’m really worried about the best place that fits me,” Johnson said in July. “I don’t want to be at SC just because it’s close to home and be in a terrible situation for myself. I want to be in the best situation for myself, because I can always move back home.”

So if the Wildcats soldier on and get this Solider, we’ll look at that team’s next top prospect and earmark Tucson as a potential landing spot.


CHALK ALEXANDER UP FOR KU?


Cliff Alexander, the 6-9, 240-pound prospect from Chicago’s Curie Metropolitan High, is choosing between DePaul, Illinois, Kansas and Memphis.

The Jayhawks have long been considered the leader for Alexander. His girlfriend, Caelynn Manning-Allen is a freshman on the KU women’s team and his smile was bigger than your car's high beams when talking about the Jayhawks in an interview a few months ago. Kansas has a need for him too, with Joel Embiid presumably headed for the 2014 NBA Draft and Tarik Black exhausting his eligibility.

No matter where Alexander decides to go, he’s a guy that instantly fits into anyone’s lineup because of his ferocity on the backboards, his ability to score (and shatter backboards) and his blocks. Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy found out this summer that Alexander is working to improve his outside shooting, which would help make him a more complete player. Now, Alexander just needs to find the program that will help advance his career interests, because he is a one-and-done prospect.


TWO HEELS STILL OUT


North Carolina leading scorer P.J. Hairston and senior Leslie McDonald will miss the second straight game due to NCAA eligibility concerns when the No. 12 Tar Heels play Holy Cross tonight.

Team spokesman Steve Kirschner said Thursday the school and NCAA "are still working together" in an ongoing process. He said there is no timetable for a decision.
"It's what it is," Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams said during his regularly scheduled news conference in advance of Friday's game. "Everybody's trying to do their best. We're trying to move along."

Authorities twice cited Hairston during the offseason while driving a rental vehicle linked to a felon and party promoter, raising the possibility of an improper benefits violation.

The school hasn't specified McDonald's issue, though UNC had to send a letter this summer ordering a company that makes designer mouth guards to stop using McDonald on a website promoting its brand. McDonald had made at least one social media post last year about wearing one of the company's mouth guards. NCAA rules prohibit athletes from endorsing or promoting a company or product.

Contributors: Roger Kuznia and The Associated Press