I missed this last month from the SMU Rivals site...interesting take on the 2015 AAC recruiting classes. They don't mention Kajon Brown when discussing TU, which is understandable since he was a sleeper, but according to Hurricane coaches, Brown may be their most talented signee...
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Aside from a last minute transfer, the 2015 basketball recruiting classes have taken their final form. Let's take a look at the American Conference teams and their classes.
1. Memphis. Total commits: Five. After a down year, Josh Pastner has the reinforcements coming in for 2015-16. The big score was the commitments of four-star forwards and brothers Dedric and Keelon Lawson. Dedric, a McDonald's All-American, is strong in the paint and can score in droves. Add in 6-foot-11 center Nick Marshall and two playmakers Jeremiah Martin and Randall Broddie and you've got a talented core coming to Memphis.
2. Connecticut. Total commits: Two. The two commits are a little misleading: UConn also adds three transfers in this recruiting class. But the big addition comes in the form of five-star point guard Jalen Adams, a long guard with handles, a jumper and ways to score in the paint. Add him, four-star forward Steve Enoch and the transfers to a talented core and UConn should not be missing the tournament again this season.
3. SMU. Total commits: Four. SMU is bringing in some pieces that it desperately needs in this class. Shake Milton and Sedrick Barefield can shoot lights out and bring different dynamics to SMU's offensive game. Simeon Carter will provide energy and defense in the paint and Jarrey Foster is a winner who will have a lot to prove coming back from his injury. The X-factor is the addition of Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye, who is a game-changer for Larry Brown's program at SMU.
4. Cincinnati. Total commits: Three. Four-star small forward Jacob Evans is a perfect fit for Cincy: Tough, relentless and a high basketball IQ. Point guard Justin Jenifer can run a fast break and uses his vision to create for himself and his teammates.
5. Temple. Total commits: Three. Rivals150 small forward Trey Lowe, who chose the Owls over SMU, is an athletic wing who can attack the bucket and uses his long arms to clog passing lanes on defense. Lowe is from New Jersey but Fran Dunphy kept the rest of the class from in-state. Center Ernest Aflakpui already has a college-ready body.
6. USF. Total commits: Five. The Bulls are bringing in exactly what they need: Two JuCo wings who will bring experience and versatility to the backcourt and a big in 6-foot-8 power forward Luis Santos who will require attention down low. Santos can dominate the glass if given the opportunity and brought his high school teammate three-star guard Jahmal McMurray with him to Tampa.
7. Tulane. Total commits: Six. Tulane is bringing in a lot of freshmen but is laying the groundwork for an improved team in a season or two. Power forward Blake Paul gives a lot of energy on the floor and scores well for a big. Slasher Kain Harris will bring toughness and athleticism to Tulane's backcourt.
8. UCF. Total commits: Four. One Knight commit will be difficult to miss when SMU takes on UCF next year: 7-foot-6, 280-pound center Tacko Fall. Fall will be a threat to block any shot within his reach. UCF beat out Florida for the services of three-star shooting guard Chance McSpadden thanks to his AAU teammate Chad Brown committing as well.
9. Tulsa. Total commits: Three. JuCo wing Pat Birt is a good shooter and can play multiple positions for the Golden Hurricane. Point guard Sterling Taplin will see some minutes early but overall not an exciting class for Tulsa after making such a big impression in its American debut last year.
10. Houston. Total commits: Five. The most important thing Kelvin Sampson did with this class was keep four out of the five kids from within Texas. Point guard Galen Robinson looks like the Cougars new floor general while the class adds some good size with JuCo big Xavier Dupree and Houston Madison center Chris Harris.
11. East Carolina. Total commits: Four. This class is split evenly between JuCos and high schoolers but no player looks like an instant-impact type of guy. Shooting guard Charles Foster got some good experience at Vincennes and should be a leader for ECU right away.
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Aside from a last minute transfer, the 2015 basketball recruiting classes have taken their final form. Let's take a look at the American Conference teams and their classes.
1. Memphis. Total commits: Five. After a down year, Josh Pastner has the reinforcements coming in for 2015-16. The big score was the commitments of four-star forwards and brothers Dedric and Keelon Lawson. Dedric, a McDonald's All-American, is strong in the paint and can score in droves. Add in 6-foot-11 center Nick Marshall and two playmakers Jeremiah Martin and Randall Broddie and you've got a talented core coming to Memphis.
2. Connecticut. Total commits: Two. The two commits are a little misleading: UConn also adds three transfers in this recruiting class. But the big addition comes in the form of five-star point guard Jalen Adams, a long guard with handles, a jumper and ways to score in the paint. Add him, four-star forward Steve Enoch and the transfers to a talented core and UConn should not be missing the tournament again this season.
3. SMU. Total commits: Four. SMU is bringing in some pieces that it desperately needs in this class. Shake Milton and Sedrick Barefield can shoot lights out and bring different dynamics to SMU's offensive game. Simeon Carter will provide energy and defense in the paint and Jarrey Foster is a winner who will have a lot to prove coming back from his injury. The X-factor is the addition of Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye, who is a game-changer for Larry Brown's program at SMU.
4. Cincinnati. Total commits: Three. Four-star small forward Jacob Evans is a perfect fit for Cincy: Tough, relentless and a high basketball IQ. Point guard Justin Jenifer can run a fast break and uses his vision to create for himself and his teammates.
5. Temple. Total commits: Three. Rivals150 small forward Trey Lowe, who chose the Owls over SMU, is an athletic wing who can attack the bucket and uses his long arms to clog passing lanes on defense. Lowe is from New Jersey but Fran Dunphy kept the rest of the class from in-state. Center Ernest Aflakpui already has a college-ready body.
6. USF. Total commits: Five. The Bulls are bringing in exactly what they need: Two JuCo wings who will bring experience and versatility to the backcourt and a big in 6-foot-8 power forward Luis Santos who will require attention down low. Santos can dominate the glass if given the opportunity and brought his high school teammate three-star guard Jahmal McMurray with him to Tampa.
7. Tulane. Total commits: Six. Tulane is bringing in a lot of freshmen but is laying the groundwork for an improved team in a season or two. Power forward Blake Paul gives a lot of energy on the floor and scores well for a big. Slasher Kain Harris will bring toughness and athleticism to Tulane's backcourt.
8. UCF. Total commits: Four. One Knight commit will be difficult to miss when SMU takes on UCF next year: 7-foot-6, 280-pound center Tacko Fall. Fall will be a threat to block any shot within his reach. UCF beat out Florida for the services of three-star shooting guard Chance McSpadden thanks to his AAU teammate Chad Brown committing as well.
9. Tulsa. Total commits: Three. JuCo wing Pat Birt is a good shooter and can play multiple positions for the Golden Hurricane. Point guard Sterling Taplin will see some minutes early but overall not an exciting class for Tulsa after making such a big impression in its American debut last year.
10. Houston. Total commits: Five. The most important thing Kelvin Sampson did with this class was keep four out of the five kids from within Texas. Point guard Galen Robinson looks like the Cougars new floor general while the class adds some good size with JuCo big Xavier Dupree and Houston Madison center Chris Harris.
11. East Carolina. Total commits: Four. This class is split evenly between JuCos and high schoolers but no player looks like an instant-impact type of guy. Shooting guard Charles Foster got some good experience at Vincennes and should be a leader for ECU right away.
