Re-Ranking the Top 20 CBB Recruiting Classes After Early Signing Period
College basketball’s early signing period for the 2015 class is in the books, and surprise, surprise, Kentucky was a big winner.
John Calipari landed two top-10 players for his 2015 class and has the Wildcats primed to take home another potential championship-winning group. Kentucky isn’t the only team in an ideal position well before national signing day, though.
With that in mind, here is a look at the top 20 recruiting classes for the 2015 cycle. These classes are strictly looked at and compared against each other in a vacuum, so current rosters were not considered part of the rankings.
Star ratings and recruit information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.
No. 20: Baylor
1 of 20
Recruits
King McClure, 4-star shooting guard
Joseph Acuil, 3-star power forward
Wendell Mitchell, 3-star shooting guard
Jake Lindsey, 3-star shooting guard
Kobie Eubanks, 3-star small forward
Strengths
Sometimes quantity equals quality, and Baylor already has five recruits on board in mid-November. There is plenty of shooting in this class, with three shooting guards and Eubanks as a small forward who can hit from downtown and fill up the scoring sheet.
It is worth mentioning that Eubanks was actually a part of the 2014 class. But he was ruled ineligible for the season, so 247Sports had him listed in the 2015 group.
What’s Missing?
While it is certainly nice to have all that shooting, there is a lack of multiple players with size. Acuil is a 7'0" power forward, so it is not a glaring concern. But it would be nice to add another big man to that group to really round it out.
Bottom Line
Baylor checks in at No. 20 because it is hauling in a large number of solid players. None of these recruits will turn into elite game-changers, but they will keep the Bears among the Big 12’s best in the years to come.
No. 19: VCU
2 of 20
Recruits
Tevin Mack, 4-star small forward
Kenny Williams, 4-star shooting guard
Jordan Murphy, 3-star small forward
Strengths
VCU is known for its athleticism and havoc-creating pressure defense, so it is no surprise that it targeted lengthy athletes in Tevin Mack, Kenny Williams and Jordan Murphy. Williams is a shifty guard who will spearhead those defensive efforts, while Mack and Murphy will dart into passing lanes and provide support on the second line.
What’s Missing?
This may not be as much of an issue for VCU’s class as it would be for other schools, but there is no big man in Shaka Smart’s 2015 group yet. With the high-pressure defense and guard-oriented lineup he uses, big men aren’t always necessary, but it would be nice to have a rim protector.
Bottom Line
VCU understands what the program is built on, and it recruited accordingly. Credit goes to Smart and his staff for landing athletes who will be able to keep the pressure defense rolling even when there is roster turnover.
No. 18: Wake Forest
3 of 20
Recruits
Doral Moore, 4-star center
Bryant Crawford, 4-star point guard
John Collins, 3-star power forward
Strengths
If you could pick two positions in any recruiting class to lock down, it would be center and point guard. Wake Forest has itself a ball-handler who can control the tempo of the game and set up the offense in a position to score in Bryant Crawford and a glass-eater who will swat some shots in Doral Moore.
What’s Missing?
A pure spot-up shooter would truly tie this class together because it’s not difficult to envision defenders collapsing on Moore in the post and on Crawford’s penetration. If the Demon Deacons could add a shooting guard to make defenses pay for that on the outside, they would be completely set.
Bottom Line
Pick-and-rolls and lob passes between Crawford and Moore are going to be a beautiful thing to watch at Wake Forest in the near future. The Demon Deacons will not be in the bottom half of the ACC standings once those two arrive on campus.
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No. 17: Oregon State
4 of 20
Recruits
Stephen Thompson Jr., 4-star shooting guard
Tres Tinkle, 4-star small forward
Drew Eubanks, 4-star power forward
Derrick Bruce, 3-star point guard
Gligorije Rakocevic, 3-star center
Strengths
You could not ask for a more positionally diverse set of recruits. Oregon State has itself an entire starting team in the 2015 class with one potential impact player at each position on the floor. The best way for the Beavers to play their way up the Pac-12 standings is by stockpiling players like this.
What’s Missing?
In terms of what’s missing on paper, there really isn’t much. Oregon State has a guy at every position and will have impressive depth in 2015-16. If we are nitpicking, Rakocevic is something of a longer-term project at a critical position, but this class is a home run by Oregon State’s standards.
Bottom Line
Oregon State is never going to compete with the likes of Duke and Kentucky on the trail, so you couldn’t ask for a better start to the 2015 recruiting class than this deep group.
No. 16: Auburn
5 of 20
Recruits
Danjel Purifoy, 4-star small forward
T.J. Dunans, 4-star shooting guard
New Williams, 3-star shooting guard
Bryce Brown, 3-star shooting guard
Horace Spencer, 4-star power forward
Strengths
Bruce Pearl wasted little time landing a top-notch class that is deep and very athletic. Everyone on this list can get out in transition and will thrive in any type of press the new Auburn coach wants to utilize. There is speed and athleticism all over the floor in this group.
What’s Missing?
There is a lack of elite size in Auburn’s 2015 recruiting class, with Spencer as the tallest one at 6’8”. Fortunately for the Tigers, Spencer is an excellent rebounder, so that lack of a true big man may not be that much of an issue.
Bottom Line
Auburn is a football school and has certainly fallen off on the hardwood since Charles Barkley was dominating there. Landing someone like Pearl was a shot in the arm for the program, and he has already stockpiled a deep recruiting class that should have fans excited for the immediate future.
No. 15: Villanova
6 of 20
Recruits
Jalen Brunson, 5-star point guard
Donte Divincenzo, 4-star shooting guard
Tim Delaney, 3-star power forward
Strengths
I am higher on this class than 247Sports is right now, largely because of the presence of Jalen Brunson. An elite player often defines a class, and Brunson fits that bill as someone who can hit from three, get out in transition and run the offense in a half-court look. He will make the whole group better at point guard.
What’s Missing?
By star rating, the weak link in this group is Tim Delaney as the power forward. He is the biggest one in a class that is missing formidable size to go along with a game-changing point guard. Landing another quality big guy would be huge.
Bottom Line
Brunson is the real deal at point guard, but this class is lacking enough depth to move any higher than No. 15. That could change before national signing day.
No. 14: Michigan State
7 of 20
Recruits
Deyonta Davis, 5-star center
Matthew McQuaid, 4-star shooting guard
Kyle Ahrens, 3-star shooting guard
Strengths
Tom Izzo has the size and shooting combination in this class that coaches are always looking for with center Deyonta Davis and shooting guard Matthew McQuaid. McQuaid is a lethal shooter, and Davis is an athletic specimen who will get out in transition and stretch the floor from power forward or center.
What’s Missing?
McQuaid and Kyle Ahrens are both excellent shooters, but neither is a terrific athlete in the backcourt. Izzo could use a speedy point guard to push the tempo to round out this group.
Bottom Line
Davis is an elite player who should thrive in the physically grueling Big Ten. He is strong enough to bang around down low but will be a matchup problem for some of the bigger centers in the conference because of his ability to stretch the floor. He makes this class, even if Izzo doesn’t add anyone else.
No. 13: Duke
8 of 20
Recruits
Chase Jeter, 5-star power forward
Luke Kennard, 5-star shooting guard
Strengths
Mike Krzyzewski could not have gotten off to a better start in the 2015 class after landing an incredible 2014 group. Chase Jeter has NBA potential down low (and could slide into Jahlil Okafor’s spot if he leaves), and Luke Kennard is a deadeye shooter who can set up teammates with crisp passes as well.
What’s Missing?
Both Jeter and Kennard are 5-star recruits and potential game-changers, so there is nothing to criticize there. The only issue is the lack of depth in this class with only two commits, but there is plenty of time to land another player or two.
Bottom Line
Duke has an elite guard and an elite big man in this class, which is exactly how it would draw up a perfect start. By national signing day, the Blue Devils could challenge the likes of Kentucky for the top class yet again if they continue this pattern.
No. 12: Florida
9 of 20
Recruits
KeVaughn Allen, 4-star shooting guard
Noah Dickerson, 4-star power forward
Kevarrius Hayes, 4-star center
Keith Stone, 4-star small forward
Strengths
Billy Donovan has himself an entire team of athletes in the early going for his 2015 recruiting class. Noah Dickerson and Kevarrius Hayes may be big guys, but they can also get out in transition like small forwards, which will make this group deadly to deal with over the course of a 40-minute game.
What’s Missing?
While KeVaughn Allen is capable of hitting a three-pointer if needed, the best part of his game is his ability to get into the lane and connect from mid-range. There isn’t a lot of elite perimeter shooting in this class yet, but it may not be a problem if the players are beating the opposition down the court for easy looks every time.
Bottom Line
Donovan has himself a guard in Allen and athletic forwards to flank him in transition. It won’t be long before this versatile and dangerous group is making SEC opponents pay with full-court presses and overwhelming speed.
No. 11: Washington
10 of 20
Recruits
Dejounte Murray, 4-star shooting guard
Marquese Chriss, 4-star power forward
David Crisp, 4-star point guard
Matisse Thybulle, 4-star small forward
Malik Dime, 4-star power forward
Devenir Duruisseau, 3-star power forward
Strengths
Sometimes loading up on a large number of recruits is the best way to rebuild quickly, and Washington is stockpiled with 4-star talents already. It’s hard to argue with the depth the Huskies have in this group that already goes six-deep, especially at the forward spots.
What’s Missing?
It is hard to find any glaring weaknesses in this class considering there is at least one player at every position. Washington could be on the way back to prominence in the Pac-12 sooner rather than later with this group.
Bottom Line
The Huskies will not be lacking at forward anytime soon with this group. Adding a center would make this class incredible, but it is hard to argue with the early results.
No. 10: Illinois
11 of 20
Recruits
Jalen Coleman, 4-star point guard
Darius Paul, 3-star power forward
D.J. Williams, 4-star small forward
Aaron Jordan, 4-star shooting guard
Strengths
Illinois could not ask for more athleticism and shooting in this group, as Jalen Coleman, D.J. Williams and Aaron Jordan can all hit from the outside and get out in transition. The Big Ten may have a reputation as being a slow, grinding league, but the Fighting Illini will be a quick team in the coming years.
What’s Missing?
There really is no impact size in this class. Darius Paul is a solid power forward but the weak link in this class, and there is nobody taller than 6’8” in the entire group. It could be an issue on the boards.
Bottom Line
This is already one of the best classes in the country, but adding one more big guy would make it absolutely special.
No. 9: Memphis
12 of 20
Recruits
Dedric Lawson, 5-star power forward
K.J. Lawson, 4-star small forward
Randall Broddie, 3-star point guard
Strengths
There is plenty of versatility in this group to go along with the athleticism. Dedric Lawson and K.J. Lawson are more than capable of playing multiple positions, and Randall Broddie is a quick point guard who will set them both up to score with crisp and timely passing. Dedric Lawson is one of the best players in the entire 2015 class and will be an instant contributor.
What’s Missing?
While Dedric Lawson is a power forward, he is only 195 pounds. There isn’t any size in this class to bang around down low, but the athleticism and length from the forwards will help counteract that a bit.
Bottom Line
This is an elite class in any conference, but it will set Memphis up to dominate in the American Athletic Conference for years to come.
No. 8: Louisville
13 of 20
Recruits
Donovan Mitchell, 4-star shooting guard
Deng Adel, 4-star small forward
Raymond Spalding, 4-star power forward
Strengths
Louisville has size, speed and shooting in this class, even if it is one player short from being truly elite. Donovan Mitchell and Deng Adel can both hit from three-point range, and Raymond Spalding can play above the rim with explosiveness and length.
What’s Missing?
We are talking about a top-10 class, so it’s not as if there are glaring weaknesses in any of these groups. Louisville is an elite player or two behind some of the squads ahead of it with only three guys, but Rick Pitino is off to a solid start.
Bottom Line
The Cardinals have to continue to recruit at an elite level to keep up with the ACC, and they are off to an impressive start. If Pitino can land even one more top-notch player, Louisville will shoot up near the top five.
No. 7: Syracuse
14 of 20
Recruits
Malachi Richardson, 4-star small forward
Moustapha Diagne, 4-star power forward
Tyler Lydon, 4-star power forward
Franklin Howard, 4-star shooting guard
Strengths
Jim Boeheim has elite-level rebounding on the interior with Tyler Lydon and Moustapha Diagne, a shooter in Franklin Howard and an athlete to round the group out in Malachi Richardson. All four players could be ready to step on the court immediately and play together.
What’s Missing?
Lydon and Diagne are both 6’9,” so size isn’t a serious issue in this group, but the Orange could use a distributor to set everyone up on the offensive end. Howard is more of a score-first guard, so adding a point guard who hits Howard on slashes and the forwards in the lane would be ideal.
Bottom Line
As with every class this high, there is not a glaring need or hole that has to be addressed. It is not difficult to envision all of these players in the rotation in their first year without much drop off for the Orange.
No. 6: Ohio State
15 of 20
Recruits
Daniel Giddens, 4-star center
Austin Grandstaff, 4-star shooting guard
A.J. Harris, 4-star point guard
Mickey Mitchell, 4-star small forward
Strengths
Thad Matta has done an excellent job of accumulating depth in the 2015 class to go along with a formidable 2014 group. Between Daniel Giddens down low, A.J. Harris running the show at point and Austin Grandstaff and Mickey Mitchell hitting from the outside, Matta has every area of the court covered in this class.
What’s Missing?
For as impressive as the Buckeyes’ collection of 2015 recruits is, there is not that elite-level athleticism that you see in many of the other top-notch classes. Harris, Grandstaff and Mitchell are all athletic enough to contribute right away, but they are missing that extra gear in the open floor that some of the nation’s best recruits have in their back pocket.
Bottom Line
If everyone in Ohio State’s 2014 class sticks around, the combination of the positional depth in this group and the overall athleticism in the previous group could bring multiple Big Ten titles back to Columbus in the coming years.
No. 5: Florida State
16 of 20
Recruits
Dwayne Bacon, 5-star shooting guard
Malik Beasley, 4-star shooting guard
Terance Mann, 4-star shooting guard
Christ Koumadje, 3-star center
Strengths
If Florida State continues to recruit like this, it won’t only be a football school for long. Anytime you land three elite shooting guards in the same class, the obvious strength that jumps out is shooting. However, all of these guys also bring athleticism to the table and will push the tempo for the Seminoles.
What’s Missing?
Of course, the flip side of stocking up on the backcourt is that the class is weaker in the frontcourt. Size is not an issue considering Christ Koumadje is an astounding 7’3,” but the Seminoles could use some more depth down low in this group.
Bottom Line
This 2015 class may not address the number of positions that some of the other top-five groups do, but Dwayne Bacon is a superstar in the making, and Koumadje should control the glass and swat plenty of shots. This is a game-changing group for the Seminoles that should lead them back to the NCAA tournament.
No. 4: Marquette
17 of 20
Recruits
Matt Heldt, 4-star center
Henry Ellenson, 5-star power forward
Haanif Cheatham, 4-star shooting guard
Nick Noskowiak, 4-star point guard
Strengths
It may be cliche to declare overall talent as the greatest strength for a loaded recruiting class, but Marquette has elite options everywhere you look in this group. The backcourt is set with the Haanif Cheatham and Nick Noskowiak combination, and Matt Heldt and Henry Ellenson will control the paint in the frontcourt.
Ellenson is a game-changing player who will immediately make his mark in the Big East.
What’s Missing?
There really aren’t any weaknesses in this group. Every area of the floor is covered with a promising prospect, and the size and athleticism is all there to control the flow of the game. There isn't the depth of outside shooting in this class as we see in others, but that is simply nitpicking at this point.
Bottom Line
Marquette will dominate in the watered-down Big East in the coming years if this class lives up to its lofty expectations. The Golden Eagles fans should be excited about what’s to come.
No. 3: Texas A&M
18 of 20
Recruits
Elijah Thomas, 4-star center
D.J. Hogg, 4-star power forward
Tyler Davis, 4-star center
Admon Gilder, 4-star shooting guard
Strengths
Good luck trying to rebound against this group. Texas A&M already has two elite centers and a power forward in this class who will all combine forces to dominate the boards during their time in College Station. Look for some blocked shots as well.
What’s Missing?
Outside of Admon Gilder, there is no ball-handling or perimeter play in this group. That may not be an issue given the current roster, but if we are looking at the Aggies’ recruiting class in a vacuum, it could use another backcourt player for depth purposes.
Bottom Line
Texas A&M has some catching up to do before it reaches Florida’s and Kentucky’s level on the hardwood, but recruiting like this is a good place to start. The Aggies should have their way down low against plenty of opponents with this group.
No. 2: Kentucky
19 of 20
Recruits
Skal Labissiere, 5-star center
Isaiah Briscoe, 5-star point guard
Charles Matthews, 4-star shooting guard
Strengths
There are other teams with more elite recruits than Kentucky’s three at this point, but the inside-outside combination of Skal Labissiere and Isaiah Briscoe is more than enough to land the Wildcats at No. 2. Both are complete game-changers who could already compete at the college level now and will keep the Kentucky train going next year, regardless of who bolts for the NBA.
What’s Missing?
The Wildcats could use another forward on the wing in this class if they want to eventually be the No. 1 group, but we have seen this movie before. Calipari is likely not done recruiting, and McDonald’s All-Americans across the country will be on his radar before national signing day.
Bottom Line
Kentucky is a recruiting machine, and it is not taking the 2015 cycle off. The Wildcats will finish with the nation’s top class if they add another piece or two, but for now they have to settle for the silver medal based on the quantity of impact recruits for Arizona.
No. 1: Arizona
20 of 20
Recruits
Allonzo Trier, 5-star shooting guard
Ray Smith, 5-star small forward
Justin Simon, 5-star point guard
Chance Comanche, 4-star center
Strengths
The fact that Arizona is in the same conversation as Kentucky when it comes to recruiting is a strength in and of itself. The Wildcats have elite players all over the floor with two 5-star guards, a 5-star forward and a 4-star center. You really can’t ask for anything more than that at this point.
What’s Missing?
Technically, a power forward is missing, but let’s be realistic here. Arizona has a combined 19 out of 20 possible stars with its four recruits and may not even be done before national signing day. Good luck to the rest of the Pac-12.
Bottom Line
This class could win a national title at Arizona before it leaves if everyone stays in college for a couple years and reaches his full potential. It is scary good, and we are only in the middle of November.
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