As the spotligh on the 2019 class closes, we are going to take a look at the top ten classes college basketball for the 2019 class according to ESPN. The top three players according to ESPN for each school in the top ten will be ranked.
Number=National Rank on ESPN 100
()=High School
1.Memphis Tigers
Top three signees
1.James Wiseman (#1 Center) Memphis,TN (East Memphis)
17.Precious Achiuwa (#5 Power Forward) Bronx,NY (Montverde)
25.DJ Jeffries (#5 Small Forward) Olive Branch,MS (Olive Branch)
In his first full recruiting cycle as head coach Penny Hardaway beat out Kentucky for number one player in the country James Wiseman and two other five-star frontcourt players Precious Achiuwa (PF) and DJ Jeffries (SF). Hardaway and Memphis beat out Coach K and Duke for the top class with a recent signing from Precious Achiuwa.
2.Duke Blue Devils
Top three signees
6.Vernon Carey Jr. (#3 Center) Southwest Ranches,FL (NSU University)
11.Matthew Hurt (#2 PF) Rochester,MN (John Marshall)
22.Wendell Moore (#3 Small Forward) Charlotte,NC (Cox Mill)
Landing former number one player Vernon Carey Jr. was a big win in December. Landing Matthew Hurt late in the process was a win for Duke, but did not get them over the hump to get a second consecutive top class. While this isn’t the number one class, this is a solid number two ranked class.
3.Arizona Wildcats
Top three signees
8.Josh Green (#2 Shooting Guard) Bradenton,FL (IMG)
9.Nico Mannion (#2 Point Guard) Scottsdale,AZ (Pinnacle)
40.Terry Armstrong (#8 Small Forward) Flint,MI (Bella Vista)
While there was controversy surrounding Arizona’s program in 2018, Arizona has re-cemented themselves as recruiting powers by landing top ten recruits in guards Josh Green and Nico Mannion. Wing Terry Armstrong cements this class as a top three class in the country.
4.Kentucky Wildcats
Top three signees
12.Kahlil Whitney (#2 Small Forward) Roselle,NJ (Roselle Catholic)
13.Tyrese Maxey (#3 Shooting Guard) Dallas,TX (South Garland)
29.Johnny Juzang (#3 Small Forward) North Hollywood,Ca (Harvard Westlake)
Kentucky again has a top five class headed by three top three prospects at their positions. Kahlil Whitney and Tyrese Maxey are top fifteen prospects that will be difference makers. Johnny Juzang has the talent to be an NBA player after two years. Expect Kentucky to be in the national championship picture in the 2019-2020 season.
5.Georgia Bulldogs
Top three signees
4.Anthony Edwards (#1 Shooting Guard) Atlanta,GA (Holy Spirit)
64.Christian Brown (#13 Small Forward) Hopkins,SC (Oak Hill)
69.Jaykwon Walton (#15 Small Forward) Montgomery,AL (Carver)
Tom Crean and Georgia became one of the surprises of the 2019 cycle by landing top peach state prospect and number four ranked player nationally Anthony Edwards. Four-star wings Christian Brown and Jaykwon Walton will make this team competetive in the SEC for years to come.
6.Villanova Wildcats
Top three signees
14.Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (#3 Power Forward) Overland Park,KS (IMG)
15.Bryan Antoine (#4 Shooting Guard) Tinton Falls,NJ (Ranney)
52.Justin Moore (#8 Shooting Guard) Accokeek,MD (DeMatha Catholic)
Jay Wright has another top ten class to reload after a down year in 2018-19 for Villanova despite winning the Big East. These three guys are the next players in Jay Wright’s system to lead Villanova to glory.
7.USC Trojans
Top three signees
16.Isaiah Mobley (#4 Power Forward) Temecula,CA (Rancho Christian)
20.Onyeka Okongwu (#5 Center) Chino Hills,CA (Chino Hills)
54.Max Agbonkpolo (#12 Power Forward) Rancho Santa Margarita,CA (Santa Margarita Catholic)
USC strengthened their frontcourt by landing five-star big men Isaiah Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu and four-star big Max Agbonkpolo. This will help them compete with Arizona in the Pac-12.
8.Louisville Cardinals
24.Samuell Williamson (#4 Small Forward) Rockwall,TX (Rockwall)
50.Aiden Igiehon (#11 Power Forward) Woodmere,NY (Lawrence Woodmere)
76.David Johnson (#13 Shooting Guard) Louisville,KY (Trinity)
In his first recruiting cycle, Head Coach Chris Mack has led Louisville to a great first season but has been very successful on the recruiting trail by landing a five-star and multiple four-star recruits.
9.North Carolina
Top three signees
2.Cole Anthony (#1 Point Guard) Briarwood,NY (Oak Hill)
18.Armado Bacot (#5 Center) Richmond,VA (IMG)
77.Anthony Harris (#11 Point Guard) Fairfax,VA (Paul VI)
Roy Williams finally cemented the top ten ranking for his 2019 recruiting class by landing top point guard Cole Anthony. These three top guys will have big roles as Carolina loses four major contributors after last season’s ACC championship team. Cole Anthony will have the keys to the offense after Coby White enters the NBA.
10.Florida
Top three signees
10.Scottie Lewis (#1 Small Forward) Colts Neck,NJ (Ranney)
33.Tre Mann (#6 Point Guard) Gainesville,FL (The Villages Charter)
43.Omar Payne (#7 Center) Kissimmee,FL (Montverde)
Mike White had a huge land out of New Jersey in Scottie Lewis. White and Florida complented that by landing Tre Mann and Omar Payne.
