Early Signing Period Review: SEC

10, Nov 2021

Early Signing Period Review: SEC

Brianna Patton 0 Comments

Another year, another big group of studs coming to the Southeastern Conference for men’s basketball. Kentucky is back to doing Kentucky things all the while programs like Alabama and Arkansas are continuing to raise the bar for talent in the league. Who else is making noise as we open things up in the SEC for the early signing period? Let’s dive into it.

TOP OF THE CLASS: Kentucky. John Calipari is back to his true form now that Kentucky has the No. 1 signing class in the country. All four of the Wildcats commits are 5-stars. Yep, you read that right. Each one of their commits are 5-star prospects. Even with the news of Shaedon Sharpe heading to Lexington early, their stellar class of Oak Hill’s Chris Livingston, Montverde’s Skyy Clark, and Richardson’s Cason Wallace is still the best group in the country. Each one of these players will likely see immediate playing time once they step foot on campus in Lexington.

*TOP DOG: Shaedon Sharpe is highly regarded as the best player in the country. His rise in the rankings has been a fun one to watch; just this time last year he was ranked outside of the top 100 by a host of the national rankers. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has made big improvements to his three-point shooting, making him a legitimate threat from behind the arc. He has unique athleticism that makes him so incredible to watch. He will make an immediate impact once he gets on campus in Lexington. Sharpe announced on Monday that he will be enrolling early at Kentucky.

*TOP DOG, PART II: Okay, let’s try this again. With Sharpe’s announcement that he will join the Kentucky team at the semester break, there is a new discussion to the entire class of 2022. Which class is he technically in? You can debate that one all day. Regardless, Nick Smith is coming to Fayetteville as the No. 11 overall player in our class of 2022 player rankings. The 6-foot-4 guard fits the mold of the modern guard in today’s game. He’s tough at both backcourt positions, dynamic with the ball in his hands, electric as a scorer and creative as a ball-handler and playmaker. There is a swagger to him that should make him a name that we hear quite a bit in college basketball conversations during his time at Arkansas. 

 

THE OUTSIDE OF THE TOP 100 SLEEPER: I really like Malique Ewin to Ole Miss. At 6-foot-10, Ewin has such a special skill set for his size. He has great mobility and can even bring the ball up the floor. I’ve watched him break defenders down to get to the rim from out on the perimeter. Inside the paint is where Ewin shines the most. He has exceptional footwork and plays with a ton of patience. I believe that he will be the big man that the Rebels have been yearning for.

BEST FRONTCOURT: Alabama’s front court of Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney will cause all sorts of fits for defenses around the country next season. Both players have great size and athleticism and will only benefit from the Tide’s strength and conditioning program 

BEST BACKCOURT: Kentucky takes yet another category with the top backcourt. The Wildcats are bringing in three of the top guards in the country. You will not find a better backcourt in America next year than that of Skyy Clark, Shaedon Sharpe, and Cason Wallace.

HEY, I HAVE A HOOPSEEN CHAPTER: LSU commit Julian Phillips had a terrific showing back at our HoopSeen Tip Off this past travel season. He put on an absolute show in an OT thriller against a talented TSF Mack team, finishing with 28 points including a three at the buzzer to send the game to OT.

 

THE THREE THINGS I LIKE THE MOST: 

1. The Hogs are Cookin’: After their first Elite Eight appearance since 1995, Eric Mussleman has the hogs rolling with recruiting. Arkansas currently has the second best class in the SEC and the third best nationally. 5-stars Nick Smith and Jordan Walsh lead the 2022 class that is rounded out by 4-stars Derrian Ford, Barry Dunning, and Joseph Pinion. Keeping Smith, at top-15 player in the country, at home was absolutely huge for Mussleman. The fact that he was able to go and get Walsh out of the state speaks volumes as well. 

2. The Oats Effect: Nate Oats continues to kill it on the recruiting trail. After having Alabama’s top rated recruiting class in 2021, his 2022 class may wind up being even better. The Tide currently have commitments from Brandon Miller, Jaden Bradley, Noah Clowney, and Nick Pringle. I am really high on Bradley. I watched him at the NBPA Top 100 camp where he was tabbed as the MVP. This kid can really play and I think he will be in the conversation for one of the top overall freshman next season. 

3. Florida Keeping Em’ In State: The Gators currently have the commitments of two of the top players in Florida, Malik Reneau and Denzel Aberdeen. Mike White’s ability to gain the pledges of those two in-state - and homegrown - players is huge. With Florida making the final list for a number of other top players, you can pretty much guarantee that Reneau and Aberdeen will play a part in keeping other Florida kids in state. 

Superlatives

TOP PG: Nick Smith, Arkansas 
TOP SG: Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky*
TOP SG: Skyy Clark, Kentucky 
TOP SF: Chris Livingston, Kentucky 
TOP PF: Malik Reneau, Florida
TOP C: Malique Ewin, Ole Miss 
TOP CLASS: Kentucky
TOP SLEEPER: Riley Kugel, Mississippi State 
TOP SCORER: Chance Westry, Auburn
TOP REBOUNDER: Malik Reneau, Florida
TOP ATHLETE: Jordan Walsh, Arkansas
TOP DEFENDER: Solomon Washington, Texas A&M

2022 SZN