Nerlens Noel Opts For Kentucky

Nerlens Noel, one of the top basketball recruits in the country, announced his decision in prime time on Wednesday night. Given an ESPNU special reminiscent of another basketball player, Noel revealed his commitment to play college hoops at Kentucky.

Noel announced his decision by revealing the "UK" logo which was shaved into his head.

via p.twimg.com

The choice was down to three teams: Georgetown, Syracuse and Kentucky. All three teams coveted the high school prospect, a Tilton, MA, native. This is a recruiting coup for Kentucky, a program that is no stranger to luring the country's most talented high school players.

Noel measures 6'10" 210 lbs, a lanky high school kid who looks to have a bright future in college and the pros beyond that. He has been compared to Kentucky's Anthony Davis, the center who Noel replaces, who just powered his team to a national championship earlier this month.

For more on College Basketball and Nerlens Noel, be sure to check out SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Nerlens Noel Recruiting 2012: Decision To Be Made Wednesday Night

The time is rapidly approaching for Nerlens Noel to make a decision.

Noel will tell the world his basketball future this evening. The three teams still in the running are the Syracuse Orange, Georgetown Hoyas and John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats.

Noel is a tremendous talent at six-foot-ten and 210 pounds. The lanky center is being compared to Anthony Davis, who obviously just led Kentucky to a national championship. If Noel goes to Syracuse, he would replace Fab Melo, who left for the NBA Draft.

Some pundits believe that Noel is a "significantly better shot-blocker" than Davis, which is unfathomable considering Davis was the best defender by a mile in college basketball last year.

Noel is a Tilton, MA native and says his mother will have a major say in where he goes to play basketball. If he decides to stay close to home, Syracuse would be the logical frontrunner going into Wednesday night.

It will all come together soon as three anxious programs await an answer.

TV: ESPNU

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (8:45 is when Noel is expected to announce)

For more on College Basketball and Nerlens Noel, be sure to check out SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Nerlens Noel Recruiting 2012: Commitment Rumors 'Crazy,' Says Nation's No. 1 Basketball Recruit

Tilton Prep center Nerlens Noel, regarded as the top senior high school basketball recruit in the nation, wrote Tuesday on his ESPN.com blog that rumors of his committing to a college already are "crazy."

Noel is scheduled to announce his decision during an ESPNU special beginning at 7:30 p.m ET Wednesday night, and is expected to be deciding between Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse. Rumors have circled that Noel is already decided on a certain program, but he insists his decision won't be finalized until Tuesday night.

Like I said, tonight we're gonna have a group discussion and write things out and see where we're most comfortable and what the best decision will be. The rumors about me already being committed are just crazy.

Anyone who knows me knows my mom, Dorcina, has to sign off on any decision and that she will play a major part in any decision. So tonight is when I'll talk to her about it all.

Any "recruiting guy" who says he has some news from a "source" is funny, too, because the source would have to be me or my mom and they're not talking to her and I don't talk to anyone. Like I always say, only believe what you read here.

For more on Noel's recruitment visit SB Nation New York, which has a StoryStream devoted partially to Noel coverage.

College Basketball Recruiting 2012: Nerlens Noel College Decision Announcement On April 11

Nerlens Noel, the top senior basketball recruit in the nation, will announce his college decision on Wednesday night. Georgetown, Syracuse and Kentucky are expected to be the finalists.