Big 12 Basketball: Early Signing Day Team-by-Team Analysis
Big 12 basketball did great in the early signing window, which just ended. Three schools picked up one five-star recruit and two other schools picked up three four-star recruits each, according to 247Sports.com. Below we wrap up each class look ahead to what each school could do during the traditional signing window in April. Note: Texas did not sign anyone during the early signing period and is not listed below.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Current Class Ranking: 6
Signed Letter of Intent (3)
G Nimari Burnett (6-foot-3), Prolific Prep (Napa, CA)
G Micah Peavy (6-7), Duncanville (Duncanville, TX)
F Chibuzo Agbo Jr. (6-7), St. Augustine (San Diego, CA)
In summary: Burnett was a late turn for the Red Raiders, as he announced his intention to sign with Texas Tech during the signing window. Burnett and Peavy are two of Texas Tech’s highest-ranked recruits per 247Sports.com (No. 2 is current Red Raider Jahmi’us Ramsey). Agbo hasn’t gotten much attention, but he’s No. 118 in the nation, giving the Red Raiders three of the nation’s Top 125 players in the 2020 class. It’s another banner class for head coach Chris Beard and his staff.
What’s left?: Right now, per WreckEmRed.com, the Red Raiders have no more scholarships to hand out. But that could certainly change after the season if players decide to either transfer or leave early for the NBA.
Baylor Bears
Current Class Ranking: 10
Signed Letter of Intent (2)
C Dain Dainja (6-foot-9), Park Center (Minneapolis, MN)
G LJ Cryer (6-1), Morton Ranch (Katy, TX)
Hard commit (1)
C Zach Loveday (7-0), Huntington Prep (Huntington, WV)
In summary: Dainja is Baylor’s No. 7 ranked recruit all-time per 247Sports, so that’s a big get for head coach Scott Drew and his staff, given that Dainja is coming to Waco from Minnesota. Cryer, like Dainja, is a Top 100 player nationally and the Bears keeping Cryer in state is a nice win for the program as well. So, despite only have two signed players, the Bears have a Top 10 class after signing day. Lovelady, if he signs, would give the Bears another big man inside they can develop. Ranked No. 122 nationally, Lovelady has interest from Louisville, Ohio State and Indiana. So, while he’s committed to Baylor, he’s waiting for the traditional signing window in April to make his final decision.
What’s left?: With just three seniors on the roster, any additional recruits for the Bears would have to be had via players headed for the NBA or choosing to transfer to another school.
Kansas Jayhawks
Current Class Ranking: 11
Signed Letter of Intent (4)
G Bryce Thompson (6-foot-5), Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, OK)
G Tyon Grant-Foster (6-7), Indian Hills C.C. (Ottumwa, IA)
C Gethro Muscadin (6-10), Aspire Basketball Academy (Louisville, KY)
G Latrell Jossell (5-11), Keller Central (Keller, TX)
In summary: The current scandal surrounding Kansas didn’t seem to impact head coach Bill Self’s recruiting class. Thompson is the nation’s No. 20 high school recruit, while Grant-Foster is the nation’s No. 2 junior college recruit. That’s an impact haul for the Jayhawks. Muscadin and Jossell have the feel of developmental players that could redshirt as freshmen. It’s a pretty typical class for the Jayhawks.
What’s left?: The Jayhawks may not be done yet, even though they only have three seniors on the current roster and four players already signed. Signs point toward sophomore guard Devon Dotson leaving early for the NBA, which would open up a scholarship. Guard Marcus Garrett could follow. The Jayhawks may be anticipating that. KUSports.com Matt Tait reported that the Jayhawks remain in contention for K.K. Robinson, a point guard from Bryant, Ark., who could announce his commitment in the next few weeks. Robinson is a Top 100 player nationally.
Kansas State Wildcats
Current Class Ranking: 16
Signed Letter of Intent (4)
G Nijel Pack (5-foot-10), Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, IN)
F Selton Miguel (6-4), West Oaks Academy (Orlando, FL)
C Davion Bradford (7-foot), Mehlville (Saint Louis, MO)
G Luke Kasubke (6-5), Chaminade (Saint Louis, MO)
In summary: This is a solid haul for head coach Bruce Weber. All four players are in 247’s Top 160. Three of them are considered four-star recruits. Pack is the centerpiece, a guard that can take over the point right away next season and provide both scoring and passing. Bradford gives the Wildcats some serious height inside, as Makol Mawien exits the program. Pack, Miguel and Kasubke are Top 5 recruits in their respective states. Sure, a Top 50 guy would be nice. But Weber and his staff deserve credit for getting recruits interested in a program that most believe is in for a down year. It’s considered Weber’s best class to date.
What’s left?: K-State has three seniors, so four signees would appear to be a bit of overkill. Cartier Diarra may have designs on testing the NBA waters, like senior Xavier Sneed did a year ago. Plus, K-State only has 14 players listed on its rosters. Kansas.com reported that Weber could be looking to add a fifth player in April during the traditional signing window.
Iowa State Cyclones
Current Class Ranking: 18
Signed Letter of Intent (3)
C Xavier Foster (7-foot), Oskaloosa (Oskaloosa, IA)
F Dudley Blackwell (6-5), Somerset Academy Charter (Pembroke Pines, FL)
G Jaden Walker (6-5), Discovery High School (Lawrenceville, GA)
Hard Commit (1)
F Darlinstone Dubar (6-foot-5), Rocky River (Charlotte, NC)
In summary: Foster is Iowa State’s fifth-highest ranked recruit of all time, according to 247Sports.com, and stealing him from Iowa — a school he was considering — was a big get for head coach Steve Prohm and his staff. The Cyclones will lose some height after this season and Foster could be an immediate contributor as the nation’s No. 60 recruit. Blackwell is a Top 150 recruit who was also considering Mississippi State and Oklahoma State, while Walker is 6-foot-5 but listed as a guard. Dubar can’t sign until April, but Auburn, Kansas State and Marquette had their eyes on him, too. So Prohm and his staff will have to keep him warm. It’s a solid class, with the presence of a 7-footer as the centerpiece.
What’s left?: Maintaining Dubar’s commitment is a significant task for the rest of the winter and spring. The Des Moines Register reported after signing day that all 2020 scholarships are accounted for. But there’s a real possibility that guard Tyrese Halliburton could head for the NBA after this season. Plus a current player could decide to transfer. But, for now, the Cyclones are set.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Current Class Ranking: 28
Signed Letter of Intent (1)
G Cade Cunningham (6-foot-6), Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL)
Hard Commit (1)
G Rondel Walker (6-foot-2), Putnam City West (Oklahoma City, OK)
In summary: Head coach Mike Boynton Jr. signed just one player, but it’s a big one. Cunningham is the program’s third-ranked recruit all-time, per 247Sports.com. He’s also the nation’s No. 2 player. Landing Cunningham was a huge get for the Cowboys, as blue bloods like Kentucky and North Carolina were on him too. The hiring of his older brother as an assistant coach may have played a role in the younger Cunningham’s decision. Walker’s commitment isn’t small potatoes, either. Right now he’s a Top 100 player and the No. 2 player in Oklahoma.
What’s left?: Keeping Walker warm is a high priority. Kansas State, Virginia Tech and Arkansas were also interested. The Cowboys have six seniors, but they’re not all on scholarship. According to CowboysRideForFree.com, the Cowboys have three more scholarships to play with. So there is plenty of room and opportunity for Boynton to put together a Top 25 class between now and April.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Current Class Ranking: 38
Signed Letter of Intent (2)
F Taj Thweatt (6-foot-6), Wildwood Catholic (Wildwood, NJ)
G Kedrian Johnson (6-4), Temple College (Temple, TX)
F Isaiah Cottrell (6-9), Huntington Prep (Huntington, WV)
In summary: Johnson is a tremendous get for the Mountaineers, a three-star player ranked No. 8 in the nation among junior college players right now. Thweatt didn’t get a lot of recognition nationally when it comes to overall ranking, but he is a Top 10 recruit in the state of New Jersey. The Mountaineers also added Cottrell, who is a Top 100 national recruit.
What’s left?: Watch to see if the Mountaineers lose any current players to transfer or the NBA come the end of the season. That would open up opportunities to recruit further for 2020.
TCU Horned Frogs
Current Class Ranking: 55
Signed Letter of Intent (2)
F Terren Frank (6-foot-7), Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA)
C Eddie Lampkin (6-10), Morton Ranch (Katy, TX)
In summary: The Horned Frogs put an emphasis on getting taller for 2020, and Frank is considered to be TCU’s No. 6 all-time recruit (according to 247Sports.com). TCU beat out Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Oregon State for the Californian, who is No. 110 in the nation. Lampkin is a Top 20 recruit in the state of Texas and should be given a bit of time to develop behind current center Kevin Samuel.
What’s left?: Am I looking at this right? TCU has 20 players? Only three of them are seniors. And FrogsOWar.com reported that TCU has one more scholarship to use for the 2020 class.
Oklahoma Sooners
Current Class Ranking: 97
Signed Letter of Intent (1)
G Trey Phipps (6-foot-2), Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, OK)
In summary: Phipps looks like a developmental player right now, even though he’s Oklahoma’s No. 3 overall recruit (but No. 231 overall per 247sports.com).
What’s left?: With one senior on the roster (Kristian Doolittle), there’s a good chance the Sooners might be done, barring transfers or NBA early entries.
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