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Is McDonald's All American Malik Newman close to a decision?

The five-star basketball prospect sounds like he's closing in on his college choice. Is Ole Miss still in the mix?

By Zach Berry and Jeff Gray
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Despite it only being April, crootin is here for all four seasons. Basketball is over and Andy Kennedy is gearing up for the spring signing period ... and more than likely saying his prayers every night for superstar prospect Malik Newman's decision to come soon.

It sounds like that moment could be approaching. Newman, who is playing in the 38th McDonald's All American Game Wednesday night in Chicago, told The Courier-Journal that "it feels like it's time to decide now," though he declined to give any sort of timetable.

His unofficial list includes Ole Miss -- as well as Kentucky, LSU and Mississippi State -- but the Rebs were notably absent from his interview with The Courier-Journal. Newman talks about LSU wanting him to play the point and UK gearing him more as a two-guard, but his most interesting comments focus on new State coach Ben Howland.

"Coach Howland is just a bigger piece to the puzzle," said Newman, who's dad played in Starkville. "... He just came in and told me the players he put in the NBA, what his vision was for Mississippi State, what his vision was for me and how he plans on turning the program around."

Newman is looking to cement his legacy as the most talented player to come out of the state of Mississippi. The comparisons to Monta Ellis are a bit off if you ask me -- basically because they're both from Mississippi. He reminds me more of Derrick Rose, but with a better jumper. Newman has incredible athleticism to go with a natural ability to score the basketball in volumes. Already 6'3, 175 pounds, Newman may not even be finished growing.

More crootin news

  • Learn more about Malik Newman and the rest of the participants in Wednesday's McDonald's All-American game here.
  • More basketball news: Ole Miss offered a 2016 point guard from Georgia and is after another transfer candidate as well.
  • ICYMI, Kennedy received a commitment from a JUCO point guard Sunday night. Read all about it here.
  • Several football targets have been busy on the Twitters. Five-star OL Willie Allen tweeted his best wishes to new commit Charles Wiley. Also, four-star OL Parker Boudreaux a.k.a. Mini Brock Lesnar asked Rebels on Twitter if they liked his jersey. Then, former Rebel and current Indianapolis Colts WR Donte Moncrief made sure he knew what's what.
  • ESPN's Jeremy Crabtree reports that a 2017 running back from Memphis is really starting to heat up and Ole Miss has offered.
  • Ole Miss target and Madison, Miss. native Nigel Knott earned an invite to Nike's The Opening after garnering MVP honors in New Orleans. Now, he has the attention of Oregon.
  • Former Ole Miss/Utah commit and current EMCC RB/WR/KR/PR D.J. Law received an offer from West Virginia. He is in second season with the Lions and still expresses interest in the Rebels.
  • Corey Batoon is at it again on the west coast. The new Rebel staffer has extended offers to four-star TE Devin Asiasi and three-star RB Vavae Malepeai. Offensive line coach Matt Luke is also helping with the crootin in Cali and Hawaii.
  • Jheremy Brown of PerfectGame.com tweets that Mike Bianco received a commitment from a Texas HS outfielder who will add to an already impressive 2016 class.
  • Diamondbear commit and Oxford HS pitcher Jason Barber tossed another no-hitter this week.