Three new bloods in college hoops recruiting
We are used to seeing the bluebloods sit at the top of recruiting rankings year in and year out. But as we’ve seen from other programs, the big timers aren’t the only big name in the recruiting world anymore.
Just look at the NBA Draft. Cade Cunningham went to Oklahoma State. Auburn landed Jabari Smith and has dominated the Southeast in recruiting during the Bruce Pearl era. Georgia landed Anthony Edwards. That's just the way it has been going. The are some new bloods in college hoops.
Here are three programs that you should keep a close eye on in the recruiting battlefields.
Kansas State
Jerome Tang was a consistent factor in Baylor’s two-decade-long run in successful recruiting hauls when he was Scott Drew’s right-hand man at Baylor. Tang, one of the most likeable guys in college hoops, has stepped right in as the new head coach at Kansas State.
Be sure the Powercats will be in Texas on the regular and recruiting Lone Star State studs. That’s a given. RJ Jones, one of the best shooters in the class of 2023, is already committed. The Dallas native is prepping at Wasatch Academy.
If you look at the class of 2024 offer sheet on Verbal Commits for Kansas State, there have been over two dozen offers extended and they dot the entire map of the country.
Tang and staff are shooting their shot nationally and history has shown that he will hit a good one. Keep on eye on what’s happening around the Little Apple.
Arkansas
Eric Mussleman is recruiting at a level that should have the Razorbacks contending for a National Championship. And that could happen as soon as this season. Seriously.
The current freshmen class in Fayetteville is something serious. There are two five-star prospects in the lineup in Nick Smith, one of the most important recruits in school history, and Texan Anthony Black. Both of those players were major, major recruiting wins.
The state of Arkansas continues to be home to some high-level prospects. Waiting in the wings are a pair of top 100 level class of 2024 players in Dallas Thomas and Annor Boateng. Both are in Little Rock.
Musselman has the chops to recruit nationally, too. The Razorbacks have the resources to make sure they are a major player in recruiting. Don’t be surprised to see Arkansas in top 10 recruiting lists as long as Muss in running the show.
Houston
When the school moves to the Big 12 for the 2023-24 season, the Cougars will be ready to roll.
They have an amazing 1-2 freshmen punch in Jerace Walker and Terrance Arceneaux current on the roster. Both were major recruiting wins in the graduating class of 2022. In 2023, the Cougars already have a pair of top 150 commits in local big man Joseph Tugler and DFW area guard Kordelius Jefferson.
In 2024, they already have a pledge from top 100 guard Mercy Miller, who was awesome last weekend at the Pangos All-American Festival. He's a super scorer and a shooter in the clutch. Fans are going to love him and what he brings to the table.
I’d argue that outside of the Texas Longhorns, Houston is getting into the favorite lists of in-state players better than any other program. That’s saying something.
Kelvin Sampson has treated Houston like a high-major program from the minute he took over and has coached the program like it, too. With the move to the Big 12, don’t be surprised if the Cougars stay in the mix with more McDonald’s All-American level players moving forward.
