College Basketball Recruiting: 21 Senior Stars You Need to Know for 2012-13

The freshman class for the upcoming 2011-2012 season has been praised and scrutinized for quite some time now. We know who will have an instant impact, who will receive prestigious accolades and who may not live up to the hype. Now it's time to focus on next year's college freshmen.

The high school class of 2012 is a very solid class overall. At the top, there are several elite talents who will be instant impact players at the college level. A few of these stars are even capable of carrying their respective teams deep into NCAA Tournament play as freshmen. 

The following 21 seniors are the instant impact athletes of the 2012 class, so you better get to know them now before they become household names within the next calendar year or so.

Shabazz Muhammad

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 215 pounds

College Choice: Arizona, Duke, UCLA, Kansas, UNLV, Texas A&M, Texas, Kentucky, USC

Analysis: Shabazz  Muhammad is the best player in America, regardless of class. The ridiculously talented southpaw can do anything and everything on the court, and he can do it all well. He thrives when he's slashing through traffic and throwing down his trademark powerful dunks. He also is an elite jump shooter, and can drill it from NBA range consistently. He is a program changing recruit, and he is more than capable of leading his future college team to a national championship as a freshman. Yes, he is THAT good.

Kyle Anderson

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 215 pounds

College Choice: UCLA

Analysis: Kyle Anderson is a proven winner coming from a winning high school program who is going to bring a winning mentality to his future college program, the UCLA Bruins. He has a basketball I.Q. that can be rivaled by very few basketball players at any level, not to mention that he is more unique of an athlete than any ballplayer in the past decade or so. He is a 6'8" guard/forward who is capable of playing any position between point guard and power forward. Expect an all-conference season as a freshman and a possible National Freshman of the Year Award.

Mitch McGary

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 250 pounds

College Choice: Duke, Michigan, North Carolina

Analysis: Mitch McGary is America's fastest rising prospect in the past year of competition. Between his standout high school season playing for Brewster Academy (NH) and his impressive AAU spring and summer run with the SYF Players, the Tyler Hansbrough clone has solidified his status as one of the country's premier basketball talents. He has the personality of a Duke Blue Devil, but he may be headed to the Michigan Wolverines, becoming their highest rated prospect since LaVell Blanchard.

Isaiah Austin

Height: 7'0"

Weight: 215 pounds

College Choice: Baylor

Analysis: The Baylor Bears have been reeling in top tier post prospects for the past several years now, starting with Perry Jones III two years ago, and Quincy Miller this past year.

Next in line is Austin, a highly mobile seven-footer who blocks any shot in the paint and will dunk anything he can put his hands on. Don't let the goggles fool you; this kid can play, and he is a candidate to be a 2013 NBA Lottery pick. 

Rodney Purvis

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 195 pounds

College Choice: North Carolina State

Analysis: The recent N.C. State commitment has been a national name in recruiting circles for the past four years now. It's sad, but since he's been so hyped, many people have been let down if he didn't absolutely dominate everyone he plays against. However, the fact is that he has steadily improved his overall game since he began his high school career, and he is ready to start a memorable career with his hometown school.

He is arguably the best shooting guard in the country, and he has every Wolfpack fan salivating at just how far he can take the school in his freshman season.

Anthony Bennett

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 230 pounds

College Choice: Connecticut, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Oregon, Florida, Missouri, Ohio State, UNLV and Washington

Analysis: The next Canadian-born primetime player is a physically imposing prospect. He is capable of taking defenders off the dribble, shooting over them with range or bruising them in the post. His game has really come together over the past year, much like Mitch McGary.

At this point, he's nowhere near ready to decide, but expect to see all 10 of his final schools jockeying for position into the spring, where he will decide where he's taking his immense talents.

Ricardo Ledo

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 185 pounds

College Choice: Providence

Analysis: If you are looking for a school that scored the most with the class of 2012 recruits thus far, look no further than the Providence Friars. New head coach Ed Cooley has done serious damage on the recruiting trail, landing two top 20 prospects in shooting guard Ricardo Ledo and point guard Kris Dunn. Nobody has ever questioned the enigmatic Ledo's talent; just his attitude and academics. If he gets his act together by the time he suits up for the Big East school, he could easily be the Friars leading scorer over the course of the season. 

Devonta Pollard

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 190 pounds 

College Choice: Kentucky, Georgetown, Missouri, Ole Miss, Duke, Alabama, Mississippi State, others.

Analysis: If you are looking for a 2012 prospect whose ceiling is the highest, Devonta Pollard is your prospect. The 6'7" forward has more bounce than most players his age, and his reaction time is impeccable, making his shot-blocking skills a rarity for someone his size. His mid-range shooting is coming along, and he can drive to the basket with anyone at the high school level. His style of play is tailored for the dribble-drive motion offense at Kentucky, but right now, it's hard to tell where he will end up playing his college career.

Kris Dunn

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 180 pounds

College Choice: Providence

Analysis: Pairing with Ricardo Ledo, you are looking at the future of the Providence Friars' backcourt. The New London High School star gained notoriety playing AAU ball alongside mega-recruit Andre Drummond, but has carved his own niche nationally with his stellar play over the past two years.

He is a lengthy point guard prospect, pairing his prototype size with his long wingspan. He also thrives when driving the lane and breaking down defenders with his above-average ballhandling skills.

If he continues to improve over the next few years, it's not crazy to think that Providence College could have multiple future first round NBA draft picks suiting up in their backcourt.

Jarnell Stokes

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 240 pounds

College Choice: Memphis, Florida, Connecticut, Arkansas, Tennessee and UCLA

Analysis: Don't be fooled by his size; beefy power forward Jarnell Stokes is an extremely versatile player. The Memphis product has the brute force to muscle forwards and centers close to the basket, but the wing skills to punish them on the perimeter as well. He also runs the floor extremely well for a player his size and is a high-level athlete.

He is a rare breed of power and finesse, and has coaches all over America vying for his services. It may come down to a battle between home state favorites Memphis and Tennessee to land the power player, and whoever does can expect a long and successful career from Stokes.

Brandon Ashley

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 225 pounds

College Choice: Arizona

Analysis: Arizona head coach Sean Miller scored big-time when he landed Oakland power forward Brandon Ashley. The 6'8" athlete has a motor that is constantly running, and he has a skill set that has the UA coaching staff drooling. He combines his array of devastating post moves with his ability to consistently knock down jumpers out to 20 feet. He also can handle the ball better than most forwards his size. Could we be looking at the next Derrick Williams to come out of Tucson? It sure looks that way.

Archie Goodwin

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 180 pounds

College Choice: Kentucky

Analysis: Though he is John Calipari's only recruit so far in the 2012 class, Arkansas' Archie Goodwin is a great building block for UK. He is a prime example of the long and athletic guards that Coach Cal lures to Lexington every year, and you can expect Goodwin to be his next NBA project. He is a penetrating combo guard who could eventually slide to the point guard position at the college level. If that happens, expect his game to blossom even more, since many lead guards can't match his size, post skills, or jumping ability. There is a good chance he could be the next one-and-done guard in Lexington.

Marcus Smart

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 220 pounds

College Choice: Oklahoma State

Analysis: Cowboy fans have to love the job the Oklahoma State coaching staff is doing when it comes to recruiting. In their 2011 class, they were able to convince top-five Dallas forward LeBryan Nash to cross state lines, and now for the 2012 class, they convinced Marcus Smart to do the same.

If you are looking for a physical specimen in the senior class, Smart is your guy. His chiseled frame makes him look like a linebacker, which helps make him a lockdown defender who will draw the opposing team's best point guard, shooting guard or small forward. He also runs the floor extremely well and rebounds at a high rate for only being 6'4". He plays a lot like former Syracuse standout Paul Harris.

Danuel House

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 195 pounds

College Choice: Houston

Analysis: Another player who broke out nationally this past year has been Houston's very own Danuel House. Before dominating the AAU scene over the past six months for team Texas Pro, he only had interest from TCU and Jacksonville. Not long after, his list ballooned to over 35 of the best schools in America before he decided to stay home and start his own legacy at the University of Houston.

From the very start of his Conference USA career, look for the jumping-jack to manhandle opposing guards and be the main offensive option for the Cougars. He will be teaming with AAU teammate and top 50 post player Chicken Knowles, looking to end Memphis' reign as C-USA kings.

Hanner Perea

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 210 pounds

College Choice: Indiana

Analysis: Upon stepping foot on the Indiana campus, Hanner Perea will be the most explosive post prospect the Hoosiers have had in years. He is a player who looks to attack the rim on every possession, violently dunking on any defender in his path. His post moves are advanced as well, and he uses a highly effective jump-hook in the lane. His outside game isn't there yet, but with how effective he is in the paint, he really doesn't need it at this point in his basketball career.

Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell

Height: 5'11" 

Weight: 165 pounds

College Choice: Indiana

Analysis: Indiana's 2012 recruiting class has been assembled for months now, and until they start playing for Tom Crean, they are going to be hyped endlessly. He may not be the headliner, but Yogi Ferrell is the catalyst for IU, starting next fall. He is an expert at getting into the lane, where he uses his compact frame to maneuver in order to create for himself and/or his teammates. He also is an excellent shooter, making defenders play close to him at all times. This wizard with the ball will have a very long and successful career in Bloomington.

Kaleb Tarczewski

Height: 7'0"

Weight: 220 pounds

College Choice: Arizona, Kansas

Analysis: Arguably the top center prospect in his class, Kaleb Tarczewski is going to be an instant impact player at the college level. He is a rarity for a seven-footer. He is adept at running the floor, rebounds extremely well and runs the floor proficiently. His post moves are refined for a player his size, and he dunks anything he can. Whichever school lands Tarczewski, whether it be Arizona or Kansas, they will be getting a college ready freshman center, a prospect you don't find all too often.

Dajuan Coleman

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 280 pounds

College Choice: Syracuse, Kentucky, Ohio State

Analysis: The mammoth senior center will be deciding his college destination at 2:30 p.m. today, where he will be choosing between his hometown Orange, the Kentucky Wildcats and Ohio State. The only instant impact center in his high school class other than Kaleb Tarczewski, Coleman will bring immediate interior scoring and rebounding to his future team. He also will be a defensive force in the paint, blocking and altering several shots a game. Think of Ohio State's Jared Sullinger if you are looking for a comparison.

Gabe York

Height: 6'3" 

Weight: 170 pounds

College Choice: Arizona

Analysis: "Point Guard U" scored another gem when they landed California's Gabe York. The combo guard is working on a full-time transition to point guard, and once he lands in Tucson, expect him to be Sean Miller's lead guard. He fearlessly attacks the rim and surprises with his jumping ability. He also has range anywhere in the gym. Though he is more than capable of getting teammates involved offensively, he will always be a score-first point guard.

Rasheed Sulaimon

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 180 pounds

College Choice: Duke

Analysis: The Houston native made the right college decision by sticking with Coach K's Blue Devils. He is a lockdown defender and is skilled at getting into the lane. He is a bit of a streaky shooter currently, but that will improve once he hits the college level. He easily could end up becoming the next Nolan Smith at Duke, using his work ethic and athleticism to will himself into a standout career in Durham.

Katin Reinhardt

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 175 pounds

College Choice: UNLV

Analysis: Mater Dei High School's Katin Reinhardt is a unique player in his high school class. He is a proficient pull-up jump shooter. He also is a lights out shooter from distance, where he has earned some lofty Jimmer Fredette comparisons. He gets into the lane and creates for teammates with dazzling assists. He is a huge recruit for first year Runnin' Rebels coach Dave Rice. Look for him to bring his winning mentality to the Mountain West.