Ranking the Best Uncommitted College Basketball Recruits in the Class of 2016
The fall signing period is over for basketball as recruiting slows down over the next few months during the basketball season. Although many of the class of 2016's best players are committed and signed to their future programs, there are still plenty of talented players left on the board.
While the top eight players on this uncommitted list have a chance to play in the prestigious senior all-star games this spring, all 10 of these players could make an impact at the high-major level within the first year or two of setting foot on campus.
Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State have made major waves early in the class of 2016, but plenty of programs could catch up to those blue-blood programs by landing some of these available blue-chippers.
Here are the unsigned seniors to monitor over the next few months.
10. Micah Thomas, Small Forward
1 of 10Measurables: 6'7", 185 pounds
High School and Hometown: Huntington Prep (Huntington, West Virginia); Memphis, Tennessee
Best Asset: With an ability to glide in the open floor and play well above the rim, Micah Thomas has the athletic profile that college programs covet because he can defend multiple positions and finish at the basket.
Recruiting Rundown: Arkansas, LSU, Maryland and Tennessee have all shown interest in Thomas this fall, and there is always the option that Thomas does a prep year next season.
9. Taurean Thompson, Power Forward
2 of 10
Measurables: 6'9", 200 pounds
High School and Hometown: Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, New Hampshire); Jersey City, New Jersey
Best Asset: A high-motor producer who can score or rebound, Taurean Thompson is raw but he has a lot of tools to work with once he adds strength in college. Thompson can rebound in traffic and runs the floor well.
Recruiting Rundown: Syracuse and Xavier have hosted Thompson on official visits while he's also taken in Maryland and Ruters on unofficial visits. N.C. State and Pitt have recently offered Thompson, and Kansas and Temple have also stayed involved.
8. Andrew Jones, Shooting Guard
3 of 10
Measurables: 6'4", 180 pounds
High School and Hometown: MacArthur High School; Irving, Texas
Best Asset: A scoring guard who is improving his lead-guard skills, Andrew Jones has the size and athleticism to make a difference at the college level. Bursting onto the national scene in July, Jones is a potential McDonald's All-American after a strong start to the high school season.
Recruiting Rundown: Arizona, Baylor, Louisville, SMU, Texas and Texas A&M are all involved for the late-blooming Jones. Texas is scheduled to receive an official visit from Jones in December, and he's been active visiting the other schools on his list for unofficial visits. Louisville received an official visit in October.
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7. Udoka Azubuike, Center
4 of 10
Measurables: 6'11", 265 pounds
High School and Hometown: The Potter's House Christian Academy; Jacksonville, Florida
Best Asset: A big and bruising force in the post, Udoka Azubuike is a space-eater who can instantly bring rebounds and post scoring to the college level. Already with legitimate size, the big man is certain to cause some double-teams and open up space for shooters.
Recruiting Rundown: Florida State has hosted the in-state center for an official visit, and it's working hard to get him to stay. Azubuike has also taken official visits to Kansas, N.C. State and North Carolina while Kentucky has shown some interest.
6. Jarrett Allen, Center
5 of 10
Measurables: 6'9", 210 pounds
High School and Hometown: St. Stephen's Episcopal; Austin, Texas
Best Asset: A reliable scorer and rebounder, Jarrett Allen has the type of polished and hard-working approach that should make him productive nearly right away.
Recruiting Rundown: Allen has been pretty quiet on the recruiting front, but he has taken official visits to Notre Dame, Kansas, Houston and Kentucky. With the Wildcats taking other big men, Allen is believed to be favoring the first three of his visits as he continues to weigh his options.
5. Marques Bolden, Center
6 of 10
Measurables: 6'10", 254 pounds
High School and Hometown: DeSoto High School; DeSoto, Texas
Best Asset: A true big man who can score with his back to the basket, rebound and defend the rim, Marques Bolden can come in and contribute major minutes right away for an elite college program.
Recruiting Rundown: Bolden has taken official visits to Duke, Kansas and Oklahoma, and Alabama and Kentucky have also been involved during the recruiting process.
4. Kobi Simmons, Guard
7 of 10
Measurables: 6'5", 170 pounds
High School and Hometown: St. Francis High School; Alpharetta, Georgia
Best Asset: With great size and speed, Kobi Simmons is a rare guard prospect who can get to the basket in the open floor with the best of them. A good scorer who can make plays for others, Simmons has rare athletic attributes for a potential lead guard.
Recruiting Rundown: Simmons took official visits to Kentucky, Ohio State and UNLV during late August and early September but opted to slow things down and not commit. Now open in the recruiting process, Simmons could be an intriguing late option. Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Xavier were also previously involved for Simmons.
3. Rawle Alkins, Shooting Guard
8 of 10
Measurables: 6'5", 210 pounds
High School and Hometown: Word of God (Raleigh, North Carolina); New York, New York
Best Asset: Scoring comes easily for Rawle Alkins, as he can make plays with the ball in his hands or find a way to score coming off of motion away from the ball. With a love of the spotlight, Alkins is the type of player elite programs love because he can create his own shot and isn't afraid to do so in tight spots.
Recruiting Rundown: Alkins gave a list of eight schools he was favoring in September, and Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, N.C. State, North Carolina, St. John's and UNLV made the cut. The Red Storm are desperately trying to get Alkins to come back to New York while N.C. State and North Carolina are hoping Alkins makes the Tar Heel State a more permanent residence.
2. Thon Maker, Center
9 of 10
Measurables: 7', 205 pounds
High School and Hometown: Athlete Institute Basketball Academy (Toronto, Ontario); Martinsville, Virginia
Best Asset: A physical freak of nature, Thon Maker is the type of big man who runs the floor like a guard while doing damage at both ends of the court. Maker is skilled enough to score all over the floor on offense while being a rim protector and rebounding asset on the other end.
Recruiting Rundown: Arizona State has long been seen as a major player in Maker's recruitment because of his relationship with Sun Devils assistant Brian Merritt. Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky and Notre Dame have also been recently linked to Maker.
1. Josh Jackson, Small Forward
10 of 10
Measurables: 6'7", 185 pounds
High School and Hometown: Prolific Prep (Napa, California); Detroit, Michigan
Best Asset: As the class of 2016's alpha-male wing, Josh Jackson is physically prepared to handle the rigors of college basketball while also being a nearly complete all-around wing who can shoot, pass, handle, defend and rebound.
Recruiting Rundown: Arizona, Kansas, Maryland and Michigan State have been the four schools named the most with Jackson, as he could wait until late in the spring to make his future known.
Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information via 247Sports.
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