Vanderbilt Basketball Hosts Two 2016 Recruits

Don't think we've forgotten you, basketball.  With the early signing period less than two months away, Kevin Stallings is focusing his efforts on the Class of 2016.

Since Payton Willis became Vandy's first commit for 2016, things have been quiet on the recruiting trail -- until last weekend.  The Commodores hosted a pair of big men for the Georgia game.  Who are they and how might they fit into the future?  More importantly, what are Vandy's chances of landing either one?

Clevon Brown (6'8", 215 PF, San Antonio, TX/Churchill)

Brown is rated as a three-star recruit and the #36 PF in the country per 247 Sports; Rivals likewise has him as a three-star recruit and he's currently #127 in the Rivals150.  Scout is a bit more bullish on Brown, listing him as a four-star recruit and the #26 PF in the country.  (ESPN for some reason doesn't have a profile for him.)  Brown apparently averaged 16.8 ppg last season at Churchill High School (the rival school of Carter Josephs' high school, by the way), which went 22-12.

Listed anywhere from 6'6" to 6'8", Brown doesn't have the length to be a pure post player in college but rather projects as a four, with good athleticism, rebounding, and shot blocking along with the ability to step out to 15 feet and hit jumpers:

I like the simple efficiency of Brown's game.  While mix tapes often show a player displaying his athletic ability and showboating, Brown is content to just make the damn play.  He lets his play speak for itself.  It's kind of refreshing, actually.

What are our chances of getting him? Decent, actually.  Brown has one more visit scheduled -- to Texas and Shaka Smart on September 25 -- but he's actually probably lower on the Longhorns' drawing board.  Of course, for Vandy the question is whether Brown is insurance in case Braxton Blackwell falls through; Blackwell has long been a Commodore target and, with Javin DeLaurier having cooled on Vandy (after Mike Krzyzewski offered him) Brown makes for a nice Plan B, if not more than that.

James Banks (6'10", 230 C, Stockbridge, GA/La Lumiere School)

Banks, a four-star recruit per 247 Sports and #5 center in the country; four-star recruit and #86 in the Rivals150; four-star recruit and #9 center in the country according to Scout; four-star recruit and #6 center in the country according to ESPN.  The last time Vandy landed a four-star center, his name was Damian Jones and I do not need to remind you how that one turned out.

Banks has a decent array of post moves to go along with good length and athleticism.  Like Brown, he looks simple and efficient here:

Banks isn't an elite prospect, but he's the kind of player whom Kevin Stallings can get a lot of mileage out of, particularly with the possibility of Jones heading to the NBA after this season.

What are our chances of getting him? Texas, again!  Iffy at best; 247 Sports' Crystal Ball feature ranks Texas as the most likely destination for Banks  Banks took an official visit to Austin on August 28 before going on an unofficial visit to Notre Dame on September 5; at this time, he doesn't have another official visit scheduled.  It's on Stallings to sell him on Vanderbilt before the Longhorns get him.