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2017 HoopSeen Top-25 Class Rankings

The Pac 12 and the Sec lead the brigade of talented classes as they boast a couple of programs atop of the 2017 HoopSeen Top-25 Class Rankings.
30, Nov 2016

2017 HoopSeen Top-25 Class Rankings

It has been a busy few months on the recruiting trail and after continued updates to the 2017 HoopSeen Top-25 Class Rankings this fall, the Pac 12 and the SEC looks to dominate the upper portion of the pecking order this fall. There will be plenty of movement in the coming days, weeks, and months before things are wrapped up with the late signing period in April.

1 – KENTUCKY

NICK RICHARDS, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER – RANKING: 14

QUADE GREEN, 6-FOOT, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 18

PJ WASHINGTON, 6-FOOT-7, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 27

SHAI ALEXANDER, 6-FOOT-4, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 51

While all was silent in Lexington this fall, the Wildcats went to work during the month of November. First, Calipari and his gang snatched up two of the best rebounders and premier big men throughout the nation coming in the form of PJ Washington and Nick Richards. Both create a dynamic frontline that bring immediate toughness and major production from 15-feet and in. Afterwards, Kentucky went to the backcourt establishing its case for the best class in the land thanks to the signings of Shai Alexander and Quade Green. In September, the chances of either suiting up for UK was dismal; now, all that the Wildcats have on their hands is two of the top playmakers in the 2017 class and once again, the top ranked group of senior recruits headed into the winter months. –Corey Evans  

2 – UCLA

KRIS WILKES, 6-FOOT-8, FORWARD – RANKING: 15

JAYLEN HANDS, 6-FOOT-1, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 41

JALEN HILL, 6-FOOT-8, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 52

CODY RILEY, 6-FOOT-7, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 56

LIANGELO BALL, 6-FOOT-7, FORWARD

The Bruins started out with a bang in the 2017 class as they received three commitments before the beginning of the 2016 calendar year. Led by top-50 guard Jaylen Hands, the super quick and aggressive guard will be joined by his travel teammate, big man Jalen Hill. The duo will fill some holes at Steve Alford’s program as they will be aided by stretch forward and tough local product, LiAngelo Ball. Landing talent from the state of California has not been much of an issue throughout the tenure of Alford’s in Westwood as the Bruins holds four commitments from those within its state’s borders, the final one coming from Cody Riley. The 15-foot and in producer is a strong lefty driver of the ball that brings his hard hat to the floor each time out. Things finished up in the best way possible by landing Kris Wilkes, a high upside and skilled forward that is the highest ranked prospect for the Bruins’ 2017 class, giving Steve Alford’s bunch the best crop of seniors that there is nationally this fall. –Corey Evans

3 – ARIZONA

DEANDRE AYTON, 6-FOOT-11 POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 2

BRANDON RANDOLPH, 6-FOOT-5 SWINGMAN – RANKING: 39

IRA LEE, 6-foot-7 POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 64

ALEX BARCELLO, 6-FOOT-1, POINT GUARD, - RANKING: 98

At this point a year ago, Arizona had made very little noise in the class of 2016. However, they turned that around in the spring with the signings of Kobi Simmons, Rawle Alkins, and Lauri Markkanen. That momentum from the spring has carried over to this fall and the class of 2017. The center piece of the class is DeAndre Ayton, the number two overall player in the class, and, in many eyes, one of the top young professional prospects in basketball. The 6-foot-11 power forward can do it all, and when his motor is running hot, he earns every bit of the accolades given to him. He is joined by New York native Brandon Randolph, who will provide shooting on the perimeter as one of the best shooters in 2017’s class. The 6-foot-6 wing should be a fantastic complement to Ayton on the perimeter. Another forward committed to the Wildcats is Ira Lee. The California native is a big time rebounder from the power forward spot and is a capable scorer on the interior. The backcourt commitment in Arizona’s class is Alex Barcello, a homegrown Arizona product. Barcello is a score-first point guard, who can cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses. With all the firepower that Arizona has and is bringing in, Barcello could become more of a distributor in his time as a Wildcat. Overall, this is a very impressive class that has a lot of balance and will help ensure Arizona’s place among the elites in the Pac 12 and in the country. –Carter Wilson

4 – ALABAMA

COLLIN SEXTON, 6-FOOT-1, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 8

JOHN PETTY, 6-FOOT-5, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 27

HERB JONES, 6-FOOT-6, SMALL FORWARD – RANKING: 79

ALEX REESE, 6-FOOT-9, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 121

GALIN SMITH, 6-FOOT-9, CENTER

They’re already calling this class the fab five down in Alabama. While it will be hard to rival the one accrued at Michigan during the early 1990s, the fact that Avery Johnson was able to secure four top-125 prospects, with two coming in the five-star variety, is pretty remarkable. He is recruiting for Alabama basketball, not football, and while the pigskin will always reign supreme in Tuscaloosa, the former NBA point guard has turned some major heads throughout the nation. Collin Sexton is an elite competitor and scorer, John Petty is a graceful wing that can playmake and score, Herb Jones brings versatility, Alex Reese displays frontcourt scoring with added ball skills, and Galin Smith shows off good energy and rim protecting skills in the lane. Add it all up and yes, Alabama basketball has an elite, top-five class nationally this fall. –Corey Evans

5 – DUKE

WENDELL CARTER, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER – RANKING: 1

GARY TRENT JR, 6-FOOT-5, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 13

ALEX O’CONNELL, 6-FOOT-5, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 36

Within the past few years, Duke has primarily gone to work late in the recruiting calendar thanks to several of their targets awaiting who might decide to enter into the NBA Draft and who might return. This fall, the Blue Devils have already set themselves up for great success for a few more seasons. Alex O’Connell was the first to pop off the board as the 6-foot-5, bouncy and high upside shooting guard, comes from Blue Devil bloodlines and gives the ACC juggernaut an excellent four-year option on the wings of the floor. However, where Coach K’s gang cashed in the greatest was with two very good friends and USA Basketball teammates. Gary Trent, a long time lean to the Dukies, was the first to give his signature to the Blue Devils as the 6-foot-5 shooting guard is one of the most polished prospects in all of high school basketball. Along with him, Wendell Carter, HoopSeen’s top rated senior recruit, opted to head to Durham next fall, giving the blueblood program another elite class heading into the cold months. –Corey Evans

6 – WASHINGTON

MICHAEL PORTER, 6-FOOT-8, SMALL FORWARD – RANKING: 3

DAEJON DAVIS, 6-FOOT-3, COMBO GUARD – RANKING: 54

JAYLEN NOWELL, 6-FOOT-4, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 100

BLAKE HARRIS, 6-FOOT-2, POINT GUARD

MAMOUDOU DIARRA, 6-FOOT-8, POWER FORWARD

Things started off quickly and in a major way for the Huskies of the University of Washington. Michael Porter, HoopSeen’s number-three ranked prospect, came off the board for the west coast based program, giving Lorenzo Romar another potential one-and-done recruit. The 6-foot-7 small forward will be joined by fellow top-100 recruits Jaylen Nowell and Daejon Davis, two local products that bring immediate chemistry to the Pac 12 program due to their background playing together on the high school and travel circuits. The Seattle native will be aided in the backcourt by lethal playmaking guard Blake Harris, an elite distributor of the basketball. The wildcard of the bunch and someone that the staff is very high on is Mamoudou Diarra, a 6-foot-8 forward that could become the surprise of the class, a group that sits firmly within the top-ten of our rankings. –Corey Evans

7 – AUBURN

AUSTIN WILEY, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER – RANKING: 29

CHUMA OKEKE, 6-FOOT-7, FORWARD – RANKING: 34

DAVION MITCHELL, 6-FOOT-1, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 57

Auburn basketball was the talk of the SEC throughout the summer because of Bruce Pearl & Company’s impressive recruiting class. The Tigers were able to wrap up Austin Wiley and Davion Mitchell before the spring, making them the top class in the country up until recently. Wiley brings an immediate post presence to the Plains with his finishing ability and shot-blocking ability. There aren’t many more athletic and explosive point guards in the country than Davion Mitchell; he will fit right in with Pearl’s style of play. Chuma Okeke will be a vital piece for the Tigers going forward with his versatility, something the Tigers will utilize very often in the future. With this class and the program’s past recruiting classes, Bruce Pearl is sending a message to the SEC and the rest of college basketball: Auburn basketball is back to being relevant. –Garrett Tucker

8 – LOUISVILLE

MALIK WILLIAMS, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER – RANKING: 23

DARIUS PERRY, 6-FOOT-2, GUARD – RANKING: 88

LANCE THOMAS, 6-FOOT-8, FORWARD – RANKING: 89

JORDAN NWORA, 6-FOOT-8, FORWARD – RANKING: 106

Rick Pitino loves aggressive guards and athletic length in the paint. He got both in the 2017 recruiting haul. The gem of the class is potential McDonald’s All-American Malik Williams (No. 23 overall). The Indiana native was one of the most coveted players in the 2017 class. Rounding out the group are Darius Perry, Lance Thomas and Jordan Nwora. All three can knock down the three ball, an area the Cardinals needed to improve upon. –Justin Young

9 – XAVIER

NAJI MARSHALL, 6-FOOT-6, SMALL FORWARD – RANKING: 32

PAUL SCRUGGS, 6-FOOT-3, GUARD – RANKING: 33

ELIAS HARDEN, 6-FOOT-4, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 101

JARED RIDDER, 6-FOOT-4, SHOOTING GUARD

KENTRAVIOUS JONES, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER

Xavier didn’t just strike gold once, Chris Mack’s program struck it twice with a pair of potential all-league players. Naji Marshall (No. 32 overall) and Paul Scruggs (No. 33 overall) should be instant impact players for Xavier. Both are aggressive players at their respective positions and should step right in to help. Harden, an Atlanta area guard, was a recruiting steal from the South. Ridder adds perimeter shooting and Jones is a massive center that Mack loves to develop. –Justin Young

10 – MIAMI

LONNIE WALKER, 6-FOOT-4 SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 24

DENG GAK, 6-FOOT-9, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 73

CHRIS LYKES, 5-FOOT-7, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 75

SAM WAARDENBURG, 6-FOOT-7, FORWARD

Jim Larranaga made a nice landing at Miami following a great run as the head boss at George Mason and that success continues to better itself every year. Hoping for another solid run deep into March, the Hurricanes have supplied the cupboard with more talent thanks to three top-75 commitments. Deng Gak, the cousin of Luol Deng, brings great versatility but even better upside to the playing floor. He will be joined in the frontcourt by Sam Waardenburg, a 6-foot-7 forward from New Zealand that wears his heart on his sleeve and sure doesn’t back away from physical play. However, things get that much better in the backcourt thanks to two explosive seniors. Chris Lykes, a diminutive and quick lead guard, and Lonnie Walker, a top-25 shooting guard with athleticism and three-level scoring abilities, join the ACC program. Together, the four-man class bring a wealth of talent, upside, and versatility, giving the U a top tier class nationally. –Corey Evans

11 – FLORIDA STATE

IKEY OBIAGU, 7-FOOT, CENTER – RANKING: 59

ANTHONY POLITE, 6-FOOT-5, GUARD – RANKING: 82

RAIQUAN GRAY, 6-FOOT-7, FORWARD – RANKING: 108

WYATT WILKES, 6-FOOT-7, FORWARD – RANKING: 124

BRYAN TRIMBLE, 6-FOOT-2, SHOOTING GUARD

The Seminoles have become the Goliath in the state of Florida as far as recruiting goes. This class looks to be no different, with three of Florida’s best coming to Tallahassee to play for Leonard Hamilton. The top in-state recruit in the class is Anthony Polite, whose value lies in his versatility. Polite has the frame and strength to be an immediate impact player in the ACC. He is able to defend multiple positions and does things on the floor that some players aren’t willing to do. He is joined by his travel ball teammate RaiQuan Gray, a 6-foot-7 strong bodied forward. Despite his size, he’s a perimeter oriented player who likes to make plays for others and could potentially be a big matchup problem in the ACC. The third forward of the group is sharpshooter Wyatt Wilkes, who will provide a dangerous presence from the three point line. Heading outside of the stat, Bryan Trimble will help provide a perimeter complement to the group as he brings athleticism and shot making skills off of the ball. Finishing the class off is Ikey Obiagu, one of the top two or three shot blocking big men in all of the land; he gives Leonard Hamilton the type of back line protector that he has won the most with. In all, FSU sits with a top tier class nationally and still could land one more as it remains in the hunt for five-star forward Kevin Knox. –Carter Wilson

12 – ILLINOIS

JEREMIAH TILMON, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER – RANKING: 26

TRENT FRAZIER – 6-FOOT-1, GURD – RANKING: 123

DA’MONTE WILLIAMS, 6-FOOT-2, GUARD

JAVON PICKETT, 6-FOOT-4, SHOOTING GUARD

There hasn’t been a ton of talk about Illinois recruiting of late where the staff in Champaign did most of their work early on as they landed three natives of the state before the month of August. The biggest splash of them all came in Jeremiah Tilmon, a top-30 center that Illinois faithful have been clamoring for after years of missing out on some of the top talent from the state. The 6-foot-10 center is a fine low post asset that can have an offense run through him as he will be joined by three quality pieces out on the perimeter in Da’Monte Williams, JaVon Pickett, and top-125 guard and Sunshine State native, Trent Frazier. Together, the foursome gives the Illini a top-ten recruiting class nationally and one that should keep Illini fans hopeful for further success on the playing floor. –Corey Evans

13 – OREGON

TROY BROWN, 6-FOOT-6, SWINGMAN – RANKING: 11

VICTOR BAILEY JR, 6-FOOT-4 SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 78

ABU KIGAB, 6-FOOT-6, SMALL FORWARD

In September, Oregon was left out of the party as it failed to boast one commitment from a member of the 2017 class. Now in mid-November, the Ducks sit with a top-10 class nationally and one chock full of talent, upside, and versatility. Troy Brown leads the way where landing the Vegas native was a giant coup for the Pac 12 program. The 6-foot-6 point-wing type will be joined by another ultra-versatile prospect, this time coming in the form of Canadian small forward Abu Kigab. To top the whole class off is VJ Bailey, one of the best athletes nationally and a solid mid-range on in scoring option from the Lone Star State, giving Dana Altman’s bunch reason to be optimistic for what might be ahead. –Corey Evans

14 – WESTERN KENTUCKY

MITCHELL ROBINSON, 7-FOOT, CENTER – RANKING: 10

JOSH ANDERSON, 6-FOOT-5, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 83

TAVEION HOLLINGSWORTH, 6-FOOT-3, SHOOTING GUARD

Rick Stansbury proved during his tenure as an assistant coach at Texas A&M that he is still one of the best in the business at getting top prospects. Stansbury’s recruiting prowess has never been as evident as it is now, though, as his Western Kentucky Hilltoppers currently sit at No. 8 – yes, you read that correctly – in the current HoopSeen national team rankings. With five-star big man Mitchell Robinson in tow, Stansbury will have a potential lottery pick and defensive presence in Conference USA. Athletic guard Josh Anderson was one of the biggest stock enhancers from the travel season, as he jumped on the radar of many high-major programs with his scoring ability. Nevertheless, the Louisiana native opted for the Hilltoppers and will be a part of a historic recruiting class at Western Kentucky. –Garret Tucker

15 – VIRGINIA TECH

NICKEIL ALEXANDER-WALKER, 6-FOOT-4, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 30

WABISSA BEDE, 6-FOOT-2, GUARD – RANKING: 76

Boasting arguably the best backcourt of talent from the 2017 class, the work that Buzz Williams has done in the past on the recruiting trail continues to better itself as the years progress. Harping on hard-working kids that love to compete, this year’s talented crop is quite special. Led by top-30 guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, possibly the most talented recruit Williams has ever landed as a head coach, the Canadian will be joined by Wabissa Bede in the backcourt. Both are capable of playing either guard spot in the backcourt while also scoring the ball in heavy amounts. The graduation of star guard Seth Allen looms but Alexander-Walker and Bede should quickly inject a strong talent base and great energy levels into the Hokies program. –Corey Evans

16 – IOWA STATE

LINDELL WIGGINTON, 6-FOOT-2, GUARD – RANKING: 50

TERRENCE LEWIS, 6-FOOT-5, SMALL FORWARD – RANKING: 77

DARIUS MCNEILL, 6-FOOT-2 POINT GUARD – RANKING: 118

The Big 12 isn’t doing too swell early on as Iowa State gets the nod as the top class thus far within the league. However, Texas is beginning to put together a lethal class and one should expect for Kansas to end up with a top-10 class within their own right. However, Steve Prohm and his staff have hit the trail in stride this summer and fall as they have picked up three solid pieces from various spots on the floor. Terrence Lewis, a top-100 wing, should bring immediate toughness and versatility as a scorer at the basket where he has also put in major work with his jumper. Darius McNeill, another nationally ranked prospect, brings major speed and the ability to defend the basketball with urgency. However, things really improved for the Cyclones thanks to the commitment of Lindell Wigginton. The 6-foot-2 native of Canada should be the perfect stopgap for graduating guard Monte Morris and while the learning curve will be steep, Wigginton has all of the talent and tangibles in tow to be a fan favorite in Hilton Coliseum. –Corey Evans

17 – TEXAS A&M

SAVION FLAGG, 6-FOOT-7, SMALL FORWARD – RANKING: 42

JAY JAY CHANDLER, 6-FOOT-3, GUARD – RANKING: 97

TJ STARKS, 6-FOOT-1, POINT GUARD

ISIAH JASEY, 6-FOOT-9, CENTER

While they did lose the commitment of top-10 center Mitchell Robinson in the summer, all is still well in College Station as the Aggies have a solid, three-man crop headed to the SEC program next fall. The gem to the entire class is Savion Flagg, a 6-foot-7 small forward that, if all goes right in the coming years, could pop up on NBA Draft boards. He has fine length, athleticism, and shot making skills out to the perimeter and will be aided in the backcourt with another in-state recruit, TJ Starks. The tough-nosed guard will be aided in the backcourt by top-100 guard Jay Jay Chandler, a lefty with good upside and versatility. Lastly, Isiah Jasey completes the class where the former top-100 recruit is a solid interior presence and has decent skills with his back to the rim. –Corey Evans

18 – MISSISSIPPI STATE

NICK WEATHERSPOON, 6-FOOT-2, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 21

GARRISON BROOKS, 6-FOOT-8, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 112

KEYSHAWN FEAZELL, 6-FOOT-8, POWER FORWARD

While Mississippi State had been silent for the past few months, the landing of top-125 big man Garrison Brooks catapulted the Bulldogs into the top-15 of the class rankings. Whether they remain there is up for debate but what isn’t is the talented headed to Starkville next fall. Led by elite, five-star guard Nick Weatherspoon, the explosive weapon on the perimeter will be joined by Brooks and athletic four-man Keyshawn Feazell. Together, the trio of stars creates one of the best classes not just in the SEC, but across the land. –Corey Evans

19 – KANSAS

BILLY PRESTON, 6-FOOT-8, FORWARD – RANKING: 17

MARCUS GARRETT, 6-FOOT-4, GUARD – RANKING: 90

While there is still much work to be done by the Jayhawks coaching staff this winter, Kansas did end things on a solid note during the early signing period as they walked away with the talents of Billy Preston. The 6-foot-8 forward is a giant mismatch in the frontcourt as the perimeter oriented forward has the ball skills to break his man down from off the bounce but the grown man’s body to score through contact at the basket. Preston is the gem of the class but Marcus Garrett is someone that brings immense upside to either guard position. A lean and long bodied guard that can playmake, score, and facilitate, the top-100 recruit could flourish under Bill Self’s watch in Lawrence as the Jayhawks remain on the prowl for one or two more heralded prospects to call KU their home for next year. –Corey Evans

20 – MICHIGAN STATE

JAREN JACKSON JR, 6-FOOT-10, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 25

XAVIER TILLMAN, 6-FOOT-8 CENTER – RANKING: 105

Tom Izzo and his staff had been a bit silent for a bit but after scooping up two of the top frontcourt prospects from the Midwest region, Michigan State sits nicely within the top-15 of the HoopSeen class rankings. Jaren Jackson is the prized recruit of the Spartans as the 6-foot-10 power forward has all of the qualities of a future NBA prospect. He has great length, can guard close and far away from the basket, and has a major perimeter jumper weapon that he uses nicely off of the pick and pop. Xavier Tillman, a top-125 center from the state, joins his travel teammate in East Lansing next year as the duo have already created good chemistry playing alongside each other on the Nike circuit. –Corey Evans

21 – VILLANOVA

JERMAINE SAMUELS, 6-FOOT-6, SMALL FORWARD – RANKING: 31

DHAMIR COSBY-ROUNDTREE, 6-FOOT-8, CENTER – RANKING: 103

A very solid and sturdy two-man class early on for the defending champs as Villanova fans must like what Jay Wright and his staff have accumulated early on this fall. First, the Wildcats snagged one of the hardest playing centers from the 2017 class in Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree. The rim running big man is joined by top-50 wing Jermaine Samuels. The Massachusetts native has a bevy of upside in front of him as he gives the Big East bunch a giant bump up into the top-15 of the class rankings. While there still is work to be done for the Philly-based program, the Wildcats should enjoy great success due to the production and versatility out of both Samuels and Cosby-Roundtree during their tenure at Nova.  –Corey Evans

22 – BUTLER

CHRISTIAN DAVID, 6-FOOT-6, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 68

KYLE YOUNG, 6-FOOT-8, POWER FORWARD – RANKING: 110

JERALD BUTLER, 6-FOOT-6, FORWARD

COOPER NEESE, 6-FOOT-4, SHOOTING GUARD

In what might be the most talented class ever assembled at Butler, the Bulldogs are set up for much success moving ahead. Each member of the group should fill a nice role in Indianapolis but no two should have better college careers than Christian David and Kyle Young. The former being a 6-foot-6 guard that can play every spot on the floor outside of the center position, is coming back from an ACL injury and could become a tremendous contributor at Butler if he rehabs correctly. Young joins the Canadian as the tough and engaging forward is a giant rebounder of the ball and someone that will buy in to the Butler Way straight out of the gates. Finishing out its 2017 class, BU will also welcome in Cooper Neese, an elite shooter of the ball, and a much underrated forward that can playmake with the best of them, Jerald Butler. –Corey Evans

23 – UCONN

MAKAI ASHTON-LANGFORD, 6-FOOT-1, POINT GUARD – RANKING: 53

TYLER POLLEY, 6-FOOT-8, FORWARD – RANKING: 116

JOSH CARLTON, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER

Kevin Ollie has proven one thing on the recruiting front - he can snatch up quality guards. The prize of the Huskies 2017 recruiting haul is regional recruit Makai Ashton-Langford (No. 53 overall). Florida forward Tyler Polley (No. 116 overall) was the most recruited prospect at our Best of the South tourney. His best days are still to come. Big man Josh Carlton adds size to the frontcourt. –Justin Young

24 – NORTH CAROLINA

JALEK FELTON, 6-FOOT-4, SHOOTING GUARD – RANKING: 63

BRANDON HUFFMAN, 6-FOOT-10, CENTER

STERLING MANLEY, 6-FOOT-9, CENTER

ANDREW PLATEK, 6-FOOT-2, SHOOTING GUARD

While the class at UNC isn’t one that is full of McDonald’s All-American candidates, it is filled with ballplayers that can and should grow in Chapel Hill. The star of the class is a familiar name as Jalek Felton, the nephew of former star guard Raymond Felton, is set to suit up for the Tar Heels next year. Alongside him, the top-70 recruit will be joined by primetime shooter of the ball, Andrew Platek. Following its guard commitments, UNC wanted to go big and they went ginormous with Brandon Huffman. The 6-foot-10 center sports a 7-foot-4 wingspan and is a solid clog in the middle that does a good job of changing shots in the lane. Finishing the four-man class out is Sterling Manley, a budding big man from the state of Ohio that, if he can regain a full bill of health, could become the breakout from Roy Williams’ 2017 crop of recruits. –Corey Evans

25 – TCU

RJ NEMBHARD, 6-FOOT-4, GUARD – RANKING: 67

KEVIN SAMUEL, 6-FOOT-9, CENTER – RANKING: 120

LAT MAYAN, 6-FOOT-7 SMALL FORWARD

Not sure if Pitt fans are going to enjoy this much as they clamored for top-25 recruiting classes by former head coach Jamie Dixon, but the now TCU lead man has put together a great class in Fort Worth as he shows for himself a strong, three-man senior group. Led by RJ Nembhard, the in-state recruit brings a bevy of versatility, athleticism, and playmaking skills to the floor that should excite Horned Frog fans. Another Lone Star State local, Kevin Samuel, is a giant bruiser down low and while he isn’t explosive, he is productive in the lane. Lastly, Dixon hired Dave Patrick, a coach with excellent ties to Australia as he was responsible for the recruitment of Ben Simmons to LSU, where the now TCU assistant landed his next coup in Lat Mayan, a top tier Aussie wing that has received Luol Deng comparisons early on. –Corey Evans


Corey Evans has been a member of the HoopSeen family since the summer of 2015. He brings a wealth of experience in scouring the nation in evaluation some of the top prospects from coast-to-coast, and in also finding some of the more under-the-radar prospects from various locales. The managing editor on site, Evans has run a college scouting service, the Roundball Rundown Report, since 2012, as he works with over 100 division-1 college basketball programs from both sides of the nation. Based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Evans is the primary national contributor at HoopSeen which has broadened the scope of information included within the site itself. 

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