1. Kansas State: Signed four players
Coach Bob Huggins has stocked the Wildcats for next season.
Though 6-foot-6 small forward Bill Walker is expected to join the team later this season, he counts with this year's recruiting class. Look out for him -- he is a Vince Carter-type athlete with a stronger physique and could become the most explosive player in college basketball.
Huggins also landed two postgraduate stars, 6-9 power forward Michael Beasley, a standout last year at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and now at Notre Dame Prep (Fitchburg, Mass.), and 6-5 guard/forward Dominique Sutton (Lenoir, N.C./Patterson School). Beasley is a multi-talented big man and should be a force in the Big 12 next year, and Sutton, the No. 8-rated postgrad, is very strong physically and an explosive athlete.
2. USC: Signed four players
Tim Floyd always has been a resourceful recruiter, and this year he may have outdone himself.
In one of the top surprises of the November period, USC signed 6-5 guard O.J. Mayo, the No. 3 overall prospect now back at Huntington High School in West Virginia. Mayo is a versatile, very mature backcourt player who likely will play the point for USC next year. He is expected to be in college for only one year, but it should be a memorable one for the Trojans.
Six-foot-7 forward Davon Jefferson (Lynnwood, Calif.) has not attended school since he departed Patterson School (Lenoir, N.C.) last December. Reportedly, Jefferson took needed courses via the Internet and has enough credits to receive his degree. He should provide immediate offensive firepower and athleticism.
Southern Cal received an early verbal commitment from 6-0 point guard Venoy Overton (Seattle, Wash./Franklin). Overton did not sign early, and he might not sign at all after USC received a verbal commitment last month from 6-2 Brandon Jennings, the nation's top 2008 point guard prospect. Jennings is a Los Angeles resident now at Oak Hill Academy.
3. Syracuse: Signed five players
Coach Jim Boeheim received a quality supply of new oranges during November. His top recruit was 6-8 forward Donte Green (Towson, Md./Towson Catholic), the No. 9 overall prospect who was very impressive playing for the U.S. 18-and-under team last June. He's destined to become a star in the Big East.
Joining him will be 6-0 point guard Johnny Flynn (Niagara Falls, N.Y.), the No. 16 overall prospect. He was another standout for the U.S. 18-and-under team and is one of the best and quickest lead guards in this class.
No. 36 overall prospect, 6-9 center Rick Jackson, is an aggressive, mobile big man capable of playing power forward or center.
4. Indiana: Signed five players
After top in-state players Josh McRoberts, Greg Oden and Mike Conley all said "no" to Indiana in recent years, new head coach Kelvin Sampson bucked the trend by getting No. 2 prospect Eric Gordon (Indianapolis, Ind., North Central) to rescind the commitment he had made to Illinois more than a year ago and say "yes" to the Hoosiers. Gordon, a 6-5 shooting guard, was my 2006 "Player of the Summer" and is the best points producer in the Class of 2007. He will be an immediate starter at Indiana next season.
Also among Indiana's five signees is talented fifth-year prospect Jordan Crawford, a 6-4 guard and Detroit native now at Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.). He's the younger brother of Kentucky junior guard Joe Crawford.
5. Duke: Signed three players
The Blue Devils had the nation's best three-member early recruiting class, including two of ESPN's top six overall prospects. The prize catch for Mike Krzyzewski was No. 4-rated, 6-8 small forward Kyle Singler, a highly skilled, do-everything player, somewhat in the mold of Mike Dunleavy. He will be a major addition to the Duke program.
Nolan Smith, a 6-3 guard, is the team leader and top player for No. 1-ranked Oak Hill Academy and the No. 6 overall prospect in the ESPN 150. The more I watch him, the more Smith reminds me of Duke assistant head coach Johnny Dawkins as a high school senior. Smith can play both backcourt positions and makes the big plays.
Taylor King, a 6-7 small forward and the No. 24 overall prospect, has started for four years at perennially Southern California power Mater Dei. He is an intense competitor and a prolific left-handed 3-point shooter. King actually committed to UCLA before his freshman year in high school.
6. Arizona: Signed five players
Coach Lute Olson now has back-to-back top-20 recruiting classes. The foremost recruit in this year's group is No. 7 overall Jerryd Bayless (Phoenix/St. Mary's), a high-scoring, 6-3 lead guard. Bayless committed early to the Wildcats, backed off, then signed in November. He could be Arizona's best backcourt player since Michael Bibby.
7. Florida: Signed four players
The headliner in another Billy Donovan top-10 class is No. 11 overall, Nick Calathes (Winter Park, Fla./Lake Howell), a highly skilled 6-6 combo guard. Calathes may be the best outside shooter in this class, can play both guard positions and is a great leader on the court. Calathes' high school teammate, 6-9 power forward Chandler Parsons, is a deadly shooter from all ranges and could become a wing forward for the Gators. He's ranked No. 46 overall.
8. Ohio State: Signed five players
Coach Thad Matta's Buckeyes are back in the top 10, and with their current commitments from the Class of 2008, they are certainly destined to be ranked highly again next year. The Buckeyes' top signee this year was 7-1 center Kosta Koufos (Canton, Ohio/ Glen Oak), ranked No. 17 overall. Koufos showed at the NBPA Top 100 Camp last June that he is one of the most skilled big men in this class with an outstanding shooting touch and deep range. If Greg Oden leaves after this season, Koufos could be Matta's starting center next year.
Wiry, athletic, 6-6 swingman Evan Turner will prove to be a much better collegiate performer than he was this past summer.
9. Purdue: Signed four players
Coach Matt Painter landed a dandy in 6-4 combo guard E'twaun Moore, ranked No. 28 overall. He can play the point and is an outstanding scorer and defensive player. He should be an immediate starter.
Two other top Purdue signees are in-state high school teammates from Valparaiso, skilled combo 6-8 forward Scott Martin and 6-8 small forward Robbie Hummel.
10. DePaul: Signed four players
Jerry Wainwright's top high school newcomer will be high-scoring 6-5 shooting guard Darquavis Tucker, ranked No. 20 overall, but his best overall recruit should be No. 4-ranked postgrad Mac Koshwal, a 6-9, 245-pound power forward. Koshwal has the size, strength, and aggressiveness to dominate inside and the shooting stroke to hit 3-pointers.
Preseason No. 3 junior college prospect Matija Poscic, a 6-9 power forward, also should be a significant player next year at DePaul.
11. Memphis: Signed five players
Coach John Calipari landed his most-wanted recruit in Derrick Rose, rated No. 5 overall and the top point guard in this class. At 6-4, Rose has explosive quickness, strength and is a virtually unstoppable penetrator. He is a certain impact player for Calipari next year but is projected as a "one and done" college player.
Memphis also signed the talented Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff, from Prep Charter School (Philadelphia), but they reportedly plan to attend a prep school in 2007-08 instead of enrolling at Memphis next year.
12. Texas A&M: Signed five players
Now in his third year at Texas A&M, Billy Gillispie continues to quietly, but, effectively recruit to make his Aggies program a top contender in the Big 12. Following a top-20 class last year, Gillispie landed even more talent this November. His prize is one of the nation's most athletic big men, 6-11 center DeAndre Jordan, ranked No. 22 overall. A likely high school All-American, Jordan is one of the most dominating centers in this class and had the potential to be a future pro.
The Aggies also signed an outstanding junior college player in 6-7 combo forward Victor Dubovitsky, a native of Russia. He is a highly skilled, deadly shooting, fundamentally trained player with an unbelievable work ethic.
13. Michigan State: Signed three players
Tom Izzo was second only to Duke in rankings of three-player recruiting classes. His top signee was superb 6-5 combo guard Durrell Summers (Redford, Mich./Covenant Christian), a leading candidate for Mr. Basketball honors in the state of Michigan. Summers is a very gifted athlete who likely will play two-guard for the Spartans.
The Spartans also signed one of the best true point guards in this class in 6-0 Kalin Lucas (Orchard Lake, Mich./St. Mary's Prep).
14. Texas: Signed four players
Rick Barnes always has been an outstanding recruiter, and his Longhorns are a fixture among the top-20 recruiting classes. His top signees this year were 6-7 court warrior Gary Johnson (No. 30 overall) and highly-skilled 6-8 power forward Alexis Wangmene (No. 37 overall), a resident of Cameroon now at Blair Academy (N.J.).
15. Villanova: Signed three players
Jay Wright has consecutive top-20 classes, headed by 6-6 small forward Corey Stokes, the No. 12 overall prospect in the class and the main man at St. Benedict's (N.J.). Stokes can stroke it from outside and is an instinctive scorer. The nation's best fifth-year point guard, Malcolm Grant, is a terrific playmaker, penetrator and outside shooter. He could start for 'Nova next season.
16. Pittsburgh: Signed five players
Fourth-year head coach Jamie Dixon signed his best recruiting class so far at Pittsburgh. The newcomers are overpowering 6-8 power forward DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh/Schenley), a true inside dominator, and highly-rated junior college player Cassin Diggs, a 6-10, 260-pound center. Both could start next year.
17. Nebraska: Signed seven players
First-year Nebraska head coach Doc Sadler sought immediate help, and among his seven recruits were four highly regarded junior college players. His top high school prospect is 6-8 power forward Alonzo Edwards (Houston/Klein Forest).
18. N.C. State: Signed three players
First-year Wolfpack head coach Sidney Lowe silenced all doubters about his ability to recruit by signing three highly regarded players in November. The top catch was 6-9 power forward James "J.J." Hickson, ranked No. 12 overall. He is an exceptionally mobile, athletic big man with the potential to become a future pro. He can play both center and power forward, has good scoring abilities and is projected as an immediate starter next season. Also signed is the No. 10 fifth-year player, high scoring 6-8 power forward Tracy Smith.
19. Oklahoma State: Signed four players
Sean Sutton's first official recruiting class for the Cowboys is one that would make his dad, Eddie Sutton, proud. The top signee was 6-5 James Anderson (No. 26 overall), an outstanding all-around wing player and an accurate 3-point shooter.
The Cowboys ventured into Georgia to sign an overpowering big man in 6-9 Martavious Adams.
20. Virginia Tech: Signed five players
Seth Greenberg's fourth recruiting class at Virginia Tech was his best yet and cracks the top 20. The top signee was the No. 12 fifth-year player, rugged 6-8 power forward Jeff Allen from Hargrave Military Academy (Va.). Allen is a strong rebounder and inside scorer. Another signee is Allen's teammate, deep shooter Dorenzo Hudson. When he is hot, Hudson can light up the scoreboard.
21. Texas Tech: Signed five players
Coach Bob Knight landed a solid but unspectacular class. The top-rated player is 5-11 point guard John Roberson out of Plano, Texas.
22. Arizona State: Signed four players
Coach Herb Sendek and his hard-working staff had an excellent first recruiting class at Arizona State. The top incoming Sun Devils recruit is considered the best senior in Southern California, 6-5 shooting guard James Harden (Lakewood, Calif./ Artesia). Harden, the No. 15 overall prospect in the class, had a great summer that showed that he was a relentless competitor. He's an outstanding scorer from the perimeter and explodes to the hoop. He is a program-turner for Sendek,
23. Virginia: Signed four players
Dave Leitao added a late prep-school signee -- 6-8 power forward Mike Scott, the No. 26 fifth-year player -- to bring his November class into the national Top 25. Scott joins 6-4 shooting guard Jeff Jones, a J.R. Reynolds clone from Monsignor Bonner (Pa.).
24. Oklahoma: Signed four players
The first recruiting class for Jeff Capel at Oklahoma was a strong one, with four ESPN 150 prospects. The prime new player for the Sooners will 6-8 power forward Blake Griffin, the No. 18 overall prospect in the class. He is an overpowering forward with excellent basic skills and could start immediately.
25. Georgia Tech: Signed three players
The most promising future Yellow Jacket is 6-9 power forward Gani Lawal (Norcross, Ga.), ranked No. 23 overall. Lawal is a strong, competitive big man with the abilities to play both inside positions. He is relentless attacking the basket.
Other top fall recruiting classes:
UCLA, Kansas, South Carolina, LSU, Alabama, Boston College, Florida State, Maryland, Washington, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois, UNLV, Marquette, Iowa State, Clemson, Georgia, Bradley, Massachusetts, Wichita State, New Mexico State, Michigan, Rutgers, VCU, UTEP, Wake Forest, Baylor, SMU, Gonzaga, St. John's, Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame, Creighton, Kent State and Pepperdine.
