Are Baye Fall, Assane Diop basketball’s latest recruiting bundle deal? “It’s going to be real surprising.”

Conventional knowledge screams that Baye Fall and Assane Diop are a bundle deal. But that bundle ain’t telling.

“There’s going to be surprises,” Fall stated of Tuesday afternoon, when the No. 1 and No. 2 basketball prospects within the state of Colorado — Fall and fellow Accelerated Prep massive man Assane Diop — will reveal their collegiate selections. “It’s going to be real surprising that day.”

“I think some won’t be (surprised),” the 6-foot-10 Diop added with a slight chuckle. “But a lot of people will be like, ‘What?’”

Arkansas, Auburn, Rutgers and Seton Hall are the 6-10 Fall’s reported 4 finalists. Diop is right down to the Razorbacks, CU and Seton Hall.

Diop visited Boulder formally; Fall didn’t. Both Senegal natives took journeys to Arkansas and Auburn, that are the assumed favorites to land one — or the pair — early subsequent week.

Although Fall want to provide up a fast phrase for individuals who assume first and ask questions later.

“People have their theories and stuff,” he stated. “But it’s us that are making the decision. Us and our families. Outside people have got their favorites. We know.”

They do. And whereas they’re not tipping any palms, those that perceive the 2 high-flying teenagers finest can’t actually think about them aside. In basketball or in life.

“It’s like they’re twin brothers, wherever they go,” Accelerated Prep coach Mike Haynes stated. “So when you’re not together, your day doesn’t feel right.”

Haynes has identified each prospects since they arrived within the United States about 4 years in the past. His visage is of a duo who’ve turn out to be as shut as blood brothers, the coach stated, each on and off the court docket.

As a lot as their enjoying types — Fall likes to claim himself on the ground whereas Diop prefers to mix, learn the second, after which strike — mix seamlessly, every of their personalities additionally suits the opposite like a glove.

Fall, whose prep ascent launched at Lutheran, may be mercurial; Diop, previously of Belleview Christian, is the extra even-keeled rock of the 2, the one who retains issues from going off the rails. Which is why the marginally taller Baye jokingly refers to Assane as his “little big brother.”

“He’s just a special guy,” Fall stated of Diop. “He kind of gets me back on track, like the times when I’m doing the things I’m not supposed to be doing or (if) I make a couple mistakes.”

***

Diop is aware of. He’s identified for a pair weeks now, truly.

“For the people I’m living with, it wasn’t that big of a secret,” stated Diop, who fielded practically two dozen gives earlier than selecting his closing three. “Because they have an idea what (I was) thinking about. But they still don’t know if I’m really (serious).”

Fall stated whereas he was leaning a technique earlier this fall, readability actually solely got here in current days. And with a program that ticked each field.

“(I wanted) a great fit for my playing style,” Fall defined. “Somewhere that I’m going to be held accountable and … (will assist me) be capable to simply get to the following degree one of the best ways doable.

“Some program that I can learn a lot from in the time I spend with them. Especially a program that’s going to help me get my degree, so that even if I go pro, I can come back and get my degree. Or if I have to do it over (those undergrad) four years, just those four years.”

Fall plans to main in enterprise or artwork, twin passions that bridge the 2 sides of his mind to his household’s work — his father in Senegal was an architect. The state’s high prospect fell in love with drawing and dealing with clay earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

A warrior poet in his spare time, Fall attracts inspiration off the court docket from a reasonably eclectic physique of works — something from Picasso to former NBA massive man Tim McCormick’s guide, “Never Be Average” to the lyrics of rapper Lil Baby.

“The music (Lil Baby) makes, the stuff he speaks about, it gets me hyped,” Fall defined, “or it just (deals with) some things that I can relate to.”

***

Fall is aware of. Haynes swears he doesn’t. But he supplied up an affordable guess anyway.

“I’ve been asking them, trying to figure it out,” Haynes laughed. “I’ve been fascinated about it so much, sort of enjoying satan’s advocate.

“And I assume, and in my mind, that they would like to stay together. So I would assume that it would be Arkansas or Seton Hall.”

Like the child stated, folks have their theories. Still.

“Personally, I think their style of play fits the Big East, so that one makes sense to me,” Haynes continued. “But I know the SEC also makes sense, because they’re also the sort of bigs that they have (in that league).”

Fall guarantees a hat dance. Maybe some shirts. And a touch that wherever he goes, he’d like Diop to go, too.

“I love playing with Assane,” Fall stated. “He makes me great and I love being around him. It would be … really great for me and him to be able to play at the same place because we’ve been playing together (for so long). He’s probably the player I’ve played with who knows (the best) where I am at all times on the floor. It would be great for us to play together at the next level.”

Although to listen to Fall’s little massive brother say it, don’t log off on a bundle deal simply but.

“No, no, no, no,” Diop countered. “We’ve talked about it … the thing is, we just feel (the choice) has to be best for us (as individuals). If you’ve got a school that is good for both of us, we’ll do it. But not if it’s just (about) one person and not the other.”