Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff WriterNov 20, 2023, 01:00 PM
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- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduate of University of Delaware.
Rutgers sent shock waves through the college basketball world on Wednesday when the Scarlet Knights landed a commitment from No. 2 senior Dylan Harper, who had been the highest-ranked uncommitted prospect in the country. While they had been considered the favorite for Harper over the past few months, the commitment (along with the previous signing of No. 3 Airious "Ace" Bailey) gave Rutgers two of the top three recruits in the 2024 class and the No. 2 recruiting class in the country -- a stunning development for Steve Pikiell's program.
Harper, a 6-foot-5 guard from Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), is a terrific offensive player with size and a high basketball IQ. He can score at all three levels and also possesses good vision and a willingness to create shots for teammates.
Two eye-opening stats to put Rutgers' recruiting success into context. Before the 2024 class, the Scarlet Knights had landed just six total ESPN 100 prospects since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. Only one was ranked in the top 50: Mike Rosario, who was No. 16 back in 2008. Now they have two of the top three prospects in the class.
And this, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information research: Rutgers' 2024 class is only the fourth time since 2007 that one school has landed two of the top three players in a class. The other three times were all done by Duke.
The top seven recruiting classes in the country now comprise four blue bloods, the No. 1 team in the country, the second-biggest athletic department in college sports ... and Rutgers. It's really an incredible achievement by Pikiell and his staff.
1. Duke Blue Devils
Top recruit: Cooper Flagg (No. 1)
Duke has a sizable lead in the race for the No. 1 class in the country, with three five-star commits, four top-25 commits and five inside the top 50. It starts with Flagg, the best player in high school basketball and the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. On his own, Flagg would be enough to give Duke a shot at the top class. But when he committed, coach Jon Scheyer already had commitments from Isaiah Evans (No. 8), Kon Knueppel (No. 22) and Darren Harris (No. 45). And then Duke added another five-star in the form of Pat Ngongba (No. 19), one of the few top-tier bigs in the class. The Blue Devils are still in the hunt for elite wing V.J. Edgecombe (No. 5).
2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Top recruit: Dylan Harper (No. 2)
Rutgers completed its dream duo in early December, landing No. 2 prospect Dylan Harper while beating out the likes of Duke, Indiana, Kansas and Auburn for the in-state guard. Harper teams with Airious "Ace" Bailey (No. 3) to form arguably the most dynamic tandem entering college next season. A 6-8 wing from Georgia, Bailey has incredible physical tools and can make an impact on the offensive end with his ability to get to the rim, shoot from the perimeter and distribute. The Scarlet Knights also have ESPN 100 center Lathan Sommerville (No. 87), four-star power forward Dylan Grant and three-star forward Bryce Dortch.
3. Kentucky Wildcats
Top recruit: Jayden Quaintance (No. 14)
Kentucky went from outside the top 10 before the signing period all the way up to No. 2 following the additions of Quaintance and Travis Perry (No. 84). Quaintance has one of the highest ceilings in the class. He reclassified up from 2025 and brings skill, versatility and potential at the forward position. Perry is an in-state prospect whose commitment to the Wildcats came as something of a surprise. Those two are joined by five-star guard Boogie Fland (No. 18), an explosive combo guard with plenty of speed who loves to get to the rim off the bounce, and Somto Cyril (No. 55). Kentucky is still in the mix -- and arguably the favorite -- for Billy Richmond (No. 34).
4. Texas Longhorns
Top recruit: Tre Johnson (No. 4)
The Longhorns had perhaps the biggest win of the early signing period by beating out Baylor for elite guard and top-five recruit Tre Johnson. The two in-state schools had gone back-and-forth for most of the last few months battling for Johnson, but Rodney Terry was able to pull it out in the end. Johnson is a big-time scorer and one of the most gifted offensive players in the class. He adds to a Texas class that already has two other ESPN 100 prospects in the class: top-25 wing Cameron Scott (No. 24) and forward Nic Codie (No. 67). With the Longhorns moving to the SEC next season, Terry should certainly have the playmakers to keep up with the league.
5. North Carolina Tar Heels
Top recruit: Drake Powell (No. 12)
This class could have given Duke a run for its money at No. 1 had Elliot Cadeau stuck in 2024, but the elite passing point guard reclassified up a year, so Carolina will have to settle for the top five for now. The Tar Heels are still bringing in two five-star wings in Powell and Ian Jackson (No. 17), as well as four-star power forward James Brown (No. 68). Powell is a terrific athlete who contributes at both ends of the floor, while Jackson is a former top-five prospect who has dropped spots in the rankings due to inconsistency. But when he's at his best, he can score points in a hurry.
6. Kansas Jayhawks
Top recruit: Flory Bidunga (No. 6)
Kansas has three ESPN 100 prospects already in the fold, led by Bidunga, the best big man in the country. Bidunga is a big-time recruit who can finish around the rim, rebound at both ends and make an impact as a shot-blocker on the interior. It's his motor that will separate him at the next level. Along with Bidunga, Bill Self is bringing in point guard Labaron Philon (No. 35) and Rakease Passmore (No. 52). Philon is a former Auburn commit, while the Jayhawks made up a ton of ground toward the end of Passmore's recruitment to land his pledge.
7. Arizona Wildcats
Top recruit: Carter Bryant (No. 10)
Tommy Lloyd did his work early in the 2024 cycle, picking up the two anchors in his recruiting class before the summer began. Guard Jamari Phillips (No. 26) picked the Wildcats last December. Phillips can play either guard spot, continues to improve his offensive game and is capable of getting to the rim or shooting from the perimeter. Bryant popped into the fold this spring. He has been on the radar for a couple of years and really started to put things together over the past few months with length, shooting ability and feel as his strengths. Emmanuel Stephen (No. 95) rounded out the trio in early October.
8. Georgetown Hoyas
Top recruit: Thomas Sorber (No. 60)
Ed Cooley's first full recruiting class in the nation's capital is in great shape. The Hoyas have four four-star prospects, including three ranked inside the ESPN 100. Drew McKenna (No. 71) initially planned to reclassify into 2023 after committing to Georgetown, but he's not going to suit up until the 2024-25 season, thus remaining in the ESPN 100 until further notice. Along with McKenna, there's 6-foot-9 center Sorber (No. 60) and 6-6 wing Kayvaun Mulready (No. 75), both ESPN 100 prospects. Four-star Washington, D.C., product Caleb Williams rounds out the quartet.
9. Michigan State Spartans
Top recruit: Jase Richardson (No. 28)
Tom Izzo and Michigan State are poised for back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes. The Spartans finished at No. 4 in the 2023 cycle, led by big man Xavier Booker. At this point, they don't have a five-star prospect in the group, but there are three ESPN 100 talents in the Spartans' class. Top-40 guards Richardson and Kur Teng (No. 39) lead the way. Richardson, the son of former NBA veteran Jason, is an adept playmaker, creating his own shot and taking care of the ball. Teng is a perfect Izzo player, demonstrating toughness and scoring ability. The third member of the class is Ohio native Jesse McCullough (No. 98), a 6-9 center.
10. Purdue Boilermakers
Top recruit: Kanon Catchings (No. 36)
Matt Painter is bringing in a six-man class that received a boost into the top 10 when ESPN 100 guard Gicarri Harris picked the Boilermakers over Georgia Tech on the final day of the signing period. Harris can play either guard position and can really shoot it from the perimeter. Fellow ESPN 100 prospect Catchings is the headliner of the group, with his potential, physical ability and ability to score at the rim or from the perimeter. Raleigh Burgess, C.J. Cox, Jack Benter and 7-footer Daniel Jacobsen -- what would a Purdue class be without a 7-footer? -- round out the group.
11. Missouri Tigers
Top recruit: Annor Boateng (No. 30)
Missouri was involved in some high-level recruiting battles this cycle, winning some and losing some -- and still coming out of the signing period with a very strong five-man class. Boateng is the top name in the group. Dennis Gates was able to get him out of the state of Arkansas, and Boateng will be a perfect fit for Gates' system at both ends of the floor. The same goes for Florida native Marcus Allen (No. 64), a tough, versatile, two-way player who plays with energy. Four-star center Peyton Marshall, a former Auburn commit, provides plenty of size on the interior, while 7-2 Trent Burns has a noteworthy ceiling. Point guard T.O. Barrett will provide depth as well.
12. USC Trojans
Top recruit: Trent Perry (No. 42)
A year after landing the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class, Andy Enfield is tracking for his third consecutive top-15 recruiting class. The Trojans aren't going to sign the best player in the country again, but they already have three ESPN 100 prospects ready to go. The highest ranked of the bunch is Perry, who committed in October. He's a steady and unselfish point guard who showed promise as a scorer over the summer. Joining Perry are four-star shooting guard Liam Campbell (No. 76) and four-star forward Brody Kozlowski (No. 97), both of whom should help immediately as perimeter shooters.
13. Arizona State Sun Devils
Top recruit: Amier Ali (No. 46)
After getting to the NCAA tournament and cooling off his seat -- somewhat -- Bobby Hurley hit the recruiting trail and reeled in a top-15 class. There are two ESPN 100 prospects at the top: Ali and Sammie Yeanay (No. 91). Ali brings 6-8 size and high-level offensive ability from the perimeter. Yeanay committed just before the signing period and plays with physicality and energy. Four-star Jaden Smith should help defensively, while three-star guard Bo Aldridge and junior college transfer Jeremiah Nyarko -- a Sierra Canyon (California) product -- are also headed to Tempe.
14. Miami Hurricanes
Top recruit: Jalil Bethea (No. 7)
The momentum from Miami's Final Four run has carried over to the recruiting trail with the Hurricanes landing Bethea -- the program's highest-ranked recruit in nearly 40 years. Bethea is coming off a breakout summer in which he cemented himself as one of the best backcourt players in the country. He can score at all three levels and will be able to get points immediately in Coral Gables. Next to him in Miami's future backcourt is Austin Swartz (No. 51), another high-level scorer who can shoot it from 3. Three-star Isaiah Johnson-Arigu is the third member of the group.
15. Alabama Crimson Tide
Top recruit: Aiden Sherrell (No. 21)
Nate Oats has done an incredible job building up Alabama over the past few years through a combination of high school prospects and the transfer portal, and while there's likely no Brandon Miller in this group, it's a solid two-man group with a pair of top-50 prospects. Sherrell is a highly intriguing 6-10 center because of his mobility and skill for his position. He can score inside or out and is a versatile defender, which is key for Alabama's system. Naasir Cunningham (No. 47) was once ranked as high as No. 1 in his class and still possesses a very high ceiling. Oats and the Crimson Tide still remain in the mix for Derrion Reid (No. 9).
16. Baylor Bears: Scott Drew is bringing two high-level perimeter prospects to Waco in Jason Asemota (No. 29) and Robert Wright III (No. 37), as well as 7-foot junior college transfer Noah Boyed.
17. TCU Horned Frogs: Two ESPN 100 prospects are headed to the Horned Frogs in Micah Robinson (No. 73) and David Punch (No. 99), while four-star center Malick Diallo is an intriguing addition. Three-star guard Ashton Simmons rounds it out.
18. Creighton Bluejays: Creighton is likely to lose several key players after this season, so this class should help Greg McDermott rebuild the roster. Jackson McAndrew (No. 41) and Larry Johnson (No. 96) are the headliners, and three-star guard Ty Davis is also headed to Omaha.
19. Michigan Wolverines: Michigan carried over its early-season on-court momentum to the recruiting trail by beating out Georgia for Khani Rooths (No. 23). The Wolverines already had signatures from four-star guards Durral Brooks and Christian Anderson.
20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: It's expected to be a difficult first season in South Bend for Micah Shrewsberry, but this group should help improve the talent level in the future. There are two ESPN 100 prospects in Nasir Mohammed (No. 56) and Cole Certa (No. 89), as well as four-star forward Garrett Sundra.
21. Auburn Tigers: Bruce Pearl landed a top-30 prospect for the fifth straight year in Tahaad Pettiford (No. 27), while dynamic wing Jahki Howard (No. 59) joined during the recent signing period.
22. UConn Huskies: A year after landing a top-five class, Dan Hurley is bringing in another pair of ESPN 100 prospects in Ahmad Nowell (No. 33) and Isaiah Abraham (No. 81). Nowell should make an immediate impact with the likely departures of Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer and Stephon Castle.
23. Arkansas Razorbacks: Eric Musselman has made his mark in the transfer portal but continues to recruit high-level high school players. The latest duo headed to Fayetteville are Jalen Shelley (No. 43) and Isaiah Elohim (No. 53).
24. LSU Tigers: LSU missed on top-50 prospect Vyctorius Miller to end the period but still has a top-25 class with ESPN 100 prospects Curtis Givens (No. 48) and Robert Miller (No. 82) headed to Baton Rouge.
25. Cincinnati Bearcats: Wes Miller stepped up his recruiting with the Bearcats facing tougher competition in the Big 12, landing ESPN 100 prospects Tyler Betsey (No. 49) and Tyler McKinley (No. 78).
