Louisville basketball: Putting together the 2020 recruiting wish list
By Jacob Lane
Earl Timberlake, SG
National ranking: 37
Position ranking: 9
Washington, DC., 6’6″ 175
We’ll get this list started off with a bang, literally.
Earl Timberlake is one of my favorite players in the class of 2020 because of how angry he plays. It’s like if Dwayne Sutton was reproduced as a 6’6 shooting guard with elite athleticism.
Timberlake, who Chris Mack and his staff recently offered after a big showing on the AAU circuit, is a top target for the Cards at the two guard/combo guard position due to his ability to score (of course) and his connection with assistant coach Mike Pegues, who stared at the same high school and grew up in the same area.
Chris Mack and Mike Pegues visiting DeMatha standout Earl Timberlake today. He has become the ninth 2020 prospect with a Louisville offer.
— Jody Demling (@jdemling) April 30, 2019
If you were describing the type of player that Chris Mack is looking for to play the guard spot on his team, Timberlake would almost fit that description to a T. As mentioned, he plays with incredible toughness and ferocity all the time. He’s got the ability to score on all three levels and beat just about any guard off the dribble. He’s also guaranteed to lock down anyone who he goes up against defensively, all fitting Mack’s style perfectly.
Assuming David Johnson, Josh Nickelberry, and Darius Perry all return, Timberlake would slide in as the team’s fourth guard, replacing Fresh Kimble and Ryan McMahon, while also providing another option at the three spot with Samuell Williamson (assuming he returns) giving Mack endless amounts of versatile lineups.
The Cards will have a lot of competition for Mack, specifically South Carolina, and Providence, both of whom have been on Timberlake for quite some time.
Secondary option: Donovan “Puff” Johnson