Early Signing Period Special
The early signing period for high school basketball players to sign with the college team of their choice recently ended on November 18th. This years’ seniors made it an interesting period, as most of them made a decision. Only twelve of the top 100 high school players according to 247’s composite rankings remain without a commitment. Of these twelve are 5-stars?: Josh Jackson (1), Jarrett Allen (21) and Marques Bolden (20). Commitments in the spring from these star athletes, especially the top-ranked Jackson, are sure to create a shake up in the overall team rankings. But with most of this class set, here are the major winners and surprises of the early signing period:
No one had a better six days than John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. With two top-25 players already in the fold in athletic forwards, Sacha Killeya-Jones (26) and Wenyen Gabriel (16), Calipari piled it on during this period. The Cats secured the signatures of De'Aaron Fox (3), Edrice “Bam” Adebayo (10), and Malik Monk (5). Fox, the top ranked point guard of the class, is a cat-quick player who is a wizard with the ball in his hands. Not only is he an elite passer, he's the best defensive guard in the class. Paired with Fox is Malik Monk, the top combo guard of the class. Monk is an explosive athlete (look him up on YouTube if you're ever bored) and owns a complete offensive repertoire. Fox and Monk will give any opposition nightmares in 2016-2017. “Bam” has easily the best blend of explosiveness and athleticism of any big man in this class. He is capable of tearing down a rim, while possessing nimble footwork on the block. Coach Cal will be hard pressed to keep Adebayo off the floor next season. With these five, Kentucky again has the top recruiting class going into December. The Cats are still in it for the aforementioned Bolden, but it is likely that Calipari moves onto the class of 2017.
Duke had the top class until Kentucky’s late surge. Their class lacks no star power either, with Harry Giles (2) and Jayson Tatum (4) on board. Giles is the consensus top big in the class and ESPN college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman has said he'd take Giles over any of the other top high school players in the past decade. Tatum is a pure small forward who has the best offensive game inside of the arc of anyone in the class. Pair these two with pure point guard Frank Jackson (14) and the energetic forward Javin DeLaurier (39), and Duke is once again in the top 2.
Michigan State rounds out the top 3. Tom Izzo collected a great class over the summer that consist of forward Miles Bridges (12), combo guard Josh Langford (19), point guard Cassius Winston (29), and center Nick Ward (42). Izzo sold out to keep Bridges in state and won a major recruiting battle against Kentucky by securing his commitment on October 3rd. Bridges is a difference-making athlete that will give coach Izzo a presence in the paint he hasn't had in a long time. Langford is a traditional Izzo guard who is tough on the perimeter and can get in the lane at will. Winston and Ward will be solid role players at first, but will likely stay multiple years and make a big impact in the future. Top prospect Josh Jackson holds Michigan State high on his list, and his commitment would give Izzo the best class he's ever had. Regardless of Jackson’s decision, Michigan State will be locked and loaded for 2016.
Mississippi State, Miami, and Alabama all surprised over this recruiting cycle, each landing a top-15 class. Mississippi State’s comes in at six. Headlined by small forward Mario Kegler (32) and center Schnider Herard (43), Ben Howland has continued his recruiting success as the new coach by landing a whopping five 4-star recruits. Miami landed two elite players in forward Dewan Huell (23) and guard Bruce Brown (40) on the same day. After a good start to the season, Hurricanes basketball is clearly on the up. New Alabama head coach Avery Johnson pulled off a major upset in August when he beat Kansas for the commitment of guard Terrance Ferguson (13). Ferguson is a great shooter and will make an impact immediately at Alabama. He has not signed his Letter of Intent yet, so coach Johnson has a big task in keeping Ferguson committed to the Crimson Tide.
The recruiting process is far from over and with plenty of 5-star prospects still on the board, there is sure to be drama in the spring. But for now, the Kentucky Wildcats own the show yet again.
*Parentheses denote the player’s ranking according to 247.com composite rankings
