2013 guard Kendal Yancy-Harris from Richardson (Tex.) Berkner will visit the Texas Longhorns on March 28, according to multiple sources. Yancy-Harris had originally signed a Letter of Intent to play for the USC Trojans, but requested and was granted a release following the firing of head coach Kevin O'Neill. He is also considering the Baylor Bears and Missouri Tigers, but his interest has almost wholly been in favor of Texas.
Yancy-Harris took an unofficial visit to Texas in February, when the Longhorns played Oklahoma State. He hasn't taken visits to any other schools. ESPN's Dave Telep reported that Yancy-Harris' decision will take place almost immediately following his Texas visit ($). In addition, 247's Jerry Meyer reported the visit date of March 28, as well as the expectation that the Longhorns would be the pick.
Texas currently has two prospects committed in the 2013 class: point guard Isaiah Taylor from Houston (Tex.) The Village, and wing DeMarcus Croaker from Orlando (Fla.) Jones. Both players committed following the Early Signing Period last November, and are expected to sign LOIs in April. Should Yancy-Harris commit as well, he would not be eligible to sign an LOI (since he already signed one with USC), but would ink a financial aid agreement guaranteeing his scholarship for next year.
The big question with an imminent Yancy-Harris commitment is how next year's backcourt shakes out. The initial thought is that starting point guard Myck Kabongo is almost certainly gone, and that Barnes already expects him to declare for the NBA Draft. That would leave rising sophomore Javan Felix as the de facto starting 1. Note that even if Kabongo returns, Texas still has 3 available scholarships to give next season as Jaylen Bond has elected to transfer.
Texas also expects to return rising sophomore DeMarcus Holland, who took on a jack-of-all-trades role in the backcourt and started a few games at the 2. Rising juniors Julien Lewis and Sheldon McClellan are both, as of now, slated to return as well.
@jc_hoops Demarcus Croaker straight 2 guard. Looking at Kendal Yancy-Harris as point guard who can also play the 2.
— Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) March 22, 2013
Per the Meyer tweet above, the expectation is that Croaker will push for playing time at shooting guard or in three-guard sets, while Harris could slide in to the combo guard role that Holland occupied this year. If all the pieces return in 2013-14, the competition for playing time in the backcourt should be extremely fierce.