Ranking the 10 Best 2017 College Basketball Recruiting Classes
Now that the early signing period has come to an end, it's time to take a look at the schools that are off to great starts in the class of 2017.
With the amount of uncommitted 5-star prospects still available, this list is far from set. But a lot of these schools have done most of their future recruiting for this year. Most of these classes already feature four or five commitments and look like the roster foundation for some schools.
It's hard to count out Duke from the end-of-season list with the way they've recently recruited. They aren't in the top 10 right now but have a chance to be by the end of the season. There is also one surprise team that comes from a one-bid league currently making a major move in recruiting.
Here is a look at the 10 best classes of 2017.
Recruiting ratings via Scout.com.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.
10. Western Kentucky
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Rankings: No. 10 in Scout.com, No. 13 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: Mitchell Robinson (6'11" C)
4-Star Recruits: Josh Anderson (6'4" SG)
What they'll do well: Provide a go-to player
Adding a player of Mitchell Robinson's caliber to Conference USA is going to be an instant game-changer for Western Kentucky as it gives the Hilltoppers a go-to player on both ends. Robinson will be the anchor on defense who can protect the rim and rebound while on offense he can clean up the glass, run the floor and show some touch on his jumper. Robinson might not be in college basketball for long, but he'll have a huge impact.
Where they'll need work: Help around Robinson
Getting help in the interior for Robinson is going to be interesting since the Hilltoppers have some talented guards. Buffalo transfer Lamonte Bearden is going to be eligible, and 3-star guard Taveion Hollingsworth is another perimeter player along with Josh Anderson. If Robinson gets in foul trouble or faces bigger front courts, it could be interesting to see how he handles it or if he wears down.
9. Illinois
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Rankings: No. 8 in Scout.com, No. 10 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: Jeremiah Tilmon (6'10" C)
4-Star Recruits: Trent Frazier (6'1" PG), DaMonte Williams (6'2" SG)
What they'll do well: Upgrades at several positions
This class is huge for Illinois because it has talent upgrades at both point guard and center with the addition of Frazier and Tilmon. With the Illini losing point guard Tracy Abrams and Te'Jon Lucas only being a freshman, Frazier gives the team more depth competing for a starting spot. Tilmon gives Illinois the kind of interior rebounder and defender that it has lacked the past few years.
Where they'll need work: Consistency
Going from a good class to a great class means players like Williams and 3-star guard Javon Pickett will have to step up to their fullest potential. Williams, the son of former Big Ten Player of the Year Frank Williams, has to bring it on a consistent level when it comes to competing and scoring. Pickett is a proven scorer at the high school level who didn't play a lot of high-level competition in grassroots ball.
8. Louisville
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Rankings: No. 9 in Scout.com, No. 6 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: Malik Williams (6' 10" PF)
4-Star Recruits: Darius Perry (6' 2" PG), Lance Thomas (6' 10" PF)
What they'll do well: Rebounding
Helping on the glass is something this group should do well almost immediately. Williams has the size, feel and mobility to rebound in and out of his area while Thomas and 3-star forward Jordan Nwora can also rebound. Guard Darius Perry has good size and should also be able to add some rebounds from the perimeter.
Where they'll need work: Adding strength
This class has a lot to like in a lot of areas, but Williams, Perry, Thomas and Nwora will ideally need to add weight to be ready for college basketball. Williams is skilled but at 200 pounds, he is a bit under weight for the college level. The 215-pound Thomas and the 210-pound Nwora will also play a bit inside and will need to help fight on the glass. At 180 pounds, Perry could also use more strength when he attacks the basket and tries to finish over bigs.
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7. Xavier
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Rankings: No. 7 in Scout.com, No. 8 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: None
4-Star Recruits: Paul Scruggs (6'4" G), Naji Marshall (6'6" SF), Elias Harden (6'5" SG)
What they'll do well: Perimeter depth
Three 4-star perimeter players gives the Musketeers a lot of future flexibility at guard as they can mix and match Scruggs, Marshall and Harden in different lineups. Because all three players can defend multiple spots on the floor, Xavier's defense can potentially switch when guarding and their full-court traps should also be more effective.
Where they'll need work: Consistent perimeter shooting
Defensively, this class of 2017 can play right away, but the group needs to improve as perimeter shooters. Scruggs and Marshall are more likely to do damage attacking the basket while Harden was a solid 38 percent from three-point range in Adidas Gauntlet play this spring and summer. If Scruggs and Marshall become perimeter threats, this could be a tough group to stop.
6. Auburn
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Rankings: No. 4 in Scout.com, No. 7 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: Austin Wiley (6'10" C)
4-Star Recruits: Davion Mitchell (6'1" G), Chuma Okeke (6'8" SF)
What they'll do well: Scoring
All three of Auburn's commits are gifted scorers who should be able to immediately help in that category. Wiley has solid touch and developing post moves, and he's also active on the offensive glass for putbacks. Okeke is good at handling pick-and-rolls for his size and he's tough to contain off the bounce. Mitchell can stick jumpers and shot over 50 percent in Nike Elite Youth Basketball League play this past spring and summer.
Where they'll need work: Floor spacing
The trio of Wiley, Mitchell and Okeke is certainly a big talent infusion that should immediately provide some scoring, but all three of them could stand to be more consistent outside shooters. Wiley mostly works out of the post with some occasional jumpers and Okeke is at his best attacking the basket off the dribble. Mitchell showed some promise as a perimeter shooter, but he also sets up others and needs more shooting around him.
5. Washington
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Rankings: No. 6 in Scout.com, No. 3 in 247 Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: Michael Porter Jr. (6'10" SF)
4-Star Recruits: Daejon Davis (6'3" SG), Jaylen Nowell (6'4" SG)
What they'll do well: Perimeter scoring punch
The combination of Porter, Davis and Nowell is quite a bit of scoring pop from the perimeter for one class, and that group can really score from multiple levels. If Porter plays the four, it gives the Huskies a lineup where they have a lot of tough matchups on the floor while still getting strong rebounding.
Where they'll need work: Interior presence
Finding a usable interior player is key for Washington in this class since they don't have much depth down low at this point. Point guard Blake Harris is also going to help handle the ball and play on the perimeter while 3-star big man Mamoudou Diarra will be counted on defensively to be a presence. Head coach Lorenzo Romar said he believes Diarra can defend all five positions.
4. Kentucky
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Rankings: No. 5 in Scout.com, No. 5 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: P.J. Washington (6'8" PF), Nick Richards (6'10" C)
4-Star Recruits: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6'5" PG)
What they'll do well: Provide size and athleticism
John Calipari got it done during signing week by nabbing all three of these commitments and getting more size and athleticism at multiple spots. A former Florida commit who flipped to the Wildcats, the 6'5" Gilgeous-Alexander should have good size as a ball handler while Washington and Richards are another group of 5-star forwards and centers.
Where they'll need work: Three-point shooting
As seems to be the case with recent Kentucky classes, there are some question marks about three-point shooting. The class of 2016 has been able to answer some of those questions this season thanks to Malik Monk's hot shooting but the class of 2017 is going to have to answer similar questions. None of the three current 2017 commits for the Wildcats are noted floor spacers. It'll be interesting to see if that is addressed with the rest of the class.
3. Alabama
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Rankings: No. 3 in Scout.com, No. 4 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: Collin Sexton (6'2" PG)
4-Star Recruits: John Petty (6'5" SG), Alex Reese (6'9" PF)
What they'll do well: Scoring pop
The Crimson Tide certainly gave themselves plenty of capable perimeter scoring in the class of 2017 by adding Sexton, the Nike EYBL's leading scorer with 31.7 points per game, and Petty, a high-scoring off-guard. That duo is going to be very tough to defend individually as Sexton does a great job of attacking the basket while Petty is a great slasher and secondary attacker.
Where they'll need work: Making good decisions
There are times when Sexton has tunnel vision, and Petty can take bad shots. Those are issues both players will need to address. Sexton is going to have a lot of responsibility and will be expected to make good decisions with the ball while Petty needs to figure things out with regards to shot selection and knowing when to pass up certain looks.
2. Arizona
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Rankings: No. 2 in Scout.com, No. 2 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: DeAndre Ayton (7'0" C),
4-Star Recruits: Brandon Randolph (6'5" SG), Ira Lee (6'7" PF), Alex Barcello (6'2" PG)
What they'll do well: Athleticism
This is a group of ridiculous athletes for the Wildcats as Ayton is a freak at center, Lee is quick off the floor as a leaper and Randolph is a good run-and-jump wing. Barcello should also be OK as a defender, and the group as a whole should really help get out and defend. Ayton's ability to switch one through five is going to be something to potentially watch for.
Where they'll need work: Strength
Arizona is bringing in a ton of upside with this group, but most of these players will need to add strength to be immediately ready for the next level. Ayton has to add some strength so he can face bulkier post players as a defender, and Barcello and Randolph are both in need of strength as well. If all three of those guys find the weight room, Arizona's class has scary potential.
1. UCLA
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Rankings: No. 1 in Scout.com, No. 1 in 247Sports composite
5-Star Recruits: Kris Wilkes (6'8" SF), Jaylen Hands (6'2" PG)
4-Star Recruits: Cody Riley (6'7" F), Jalen Hill (6'8" C)
What they'll do well: Athleticism
UCLA is putting up a ton of points by playing fast, and this group should have no trouble adapting to that style of play. Hands and 3-star guard LiAngelo Ball are both uptempo guards while Wilkes and Riley are above average athletes in the frontcourt. Hill is also a solid interior presence and athlete. This group has a ton of upside.
Where they'll need work: Defense
Steve Alford's teams have been run-and-gun, but they haven't been the strongest when it comes to defense. This class of 2017 is certainly very talented, but there are also a lot of prospects known for their offense over their defense. Many of these players have the athleticism to become solid defenders, but they aren't known as such right now.
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