Recruiting as of 4/15/26

[MU_Beav]

https://www.si.com/college/iowa-state/recruiting/coveted-iowa-state-basketball-recruit-will-make-commitment-soon

Donovan Davis today:
"I'm probably going to make a decision in the next week or so and will have a date for that coming out tomorrow on when I'm going to do it."

Also, could be nothing, but he and Nolan Minessale are following each other on IG.

Looks like the Iowa State insider on 24/7 picks him to go to Ames.

[K1 Lover]

Looks like the Iowa State insider on 24/7 picks him to go to Ames.

To H-E-'double hockey sticks' with the insider.

[Uncle Rico]

Looks like the Iowa State insider on 24/7 picks him to go to Ames.

Green weenie, aina?

[Galway Eagle]

https://www.si.com/college/iowa-state/recruiting/coveted-iowa-state-basketball-recruit-will-make-commitment-soon

Donovan Davis today:
"I'm probably going to make a decision in the next week or so and will have a date for that coming out tomorrow on when I'm going to do it."

Also, could be nothing, but he and Nolan Minessale are following each other on IG.

Not sure two top basketball players from Wisconsin following each other is a huge indicator of anything. If it was the other guys on the team that'd get me excited

[CountryRoads]

This one would surprise me. Never got the feeling we were really in it, but the staff does well at keeping things quiet so I guess it's possible.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Donovan Davis is announcing May 6th.

https://x.com/i/status/2050236324129501535

[Uncle Rico]

Donovan Davis is announcing May 6th.

https://x.com/i/status/2050236324129501535

2 crystal balls to Iowa State.  Over.

[K1 Lover]

Since it's been a while, below's an updated list and refresher on the 2027 recruiting targets Marquette has made offers to (per 247 and On3), listed in order of 247's internal ranking. All have visited at least once - Kohnen being the only one who is not currently known to have either taken an official visit or expressed plans to.

• #35 Devin Cleveland*
• #38 Antonio Pemberton*
• #39 Dooney Johnson - committed to Gonzaga
• #40 Jaxson Davis*
• #42 Donovan Davis*
• #45 Micah Gordon
• #79 Jack Kohnen

From what I can gather online, those with an asterisk are the ones Marquette is aggressively pursuing. Just gotta hope we ramp things up considering that On3 doesn't predict Marquette to be any of these guys' final two schools...

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Since it's been a while, below's an updated list and refresher on the 2027 recruiting targets Marquette has made offers to (per 247 and On3), listed in order of 247's internal ranking. All have visited at least once - Kohnen being the only one who is not currently known to have either taken an official visit or expressed plans to.

• #35 Devin Cleveland*
• #38 Antonio Pemberton*
• #39 Dooney Johnson - committed to Gonzaga
• #40 Jaxson Davis*
• #42 Donovan Davis*
• #45 Micah Gordon
• #79 Jack Kohnen

From what I can gather online, those with an asterisk are the ones Marquette is aggressively pursuing. Just gotta hope we ramp things up considering that On3 doesn't predict Marquette to be any of these guys' final two schools...

I know there were very high hopes for this class.

For those more in the know than me, is there concern we're going to miss on most, if not all, of these guys?

[BCHoopster]

Interesting list, not one center? How many scholarships will they have to give, still have 2 right now, maybe no seniors next year?Fru and Hamilton?

[K1 Lover]

I know there were very high hopes for this class.

For those more in the know than me, is there concern we're going to miss on most, if not all, of these guys?

I'm not exactly in the know, but unless we decide to go all in on someone, it certainly feels like we could miss out on all of them. Shaka targeting higher-ranked recruits obviously means much higher recruiting competition.

It seems the player we're most 'warm' on is Cleveland, who currently has Marquette as one of his 3 finalists, though I'm not getting my hopes too high since the other two schools we're competing with for him are Michigan and Arkansas.

[brewcity77]

Interesting list, not one center? How many scholarships will they have to give, still have 2 right now, maybe no seniors next year?Fru and Hamilton?

Guessing that might change. Sheek leaving will change things for that class and beyond.

[Nukem2]

Guessing that might change. Sheek leaving will change things for that class and beyond.

Absolutely has to..........

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Since it's been a while, below's an updated list and refresher on the 2027 recruiting targets Marquette has made offers to (per 247 and On3), listed in order of 247's internal ranking. All have visited at least once - Kohnen being the only one who is not currently known to have either taken an official visit or expressed plans to.

• #35 Devin Cleveland*
• #38 Antonio Pemberton*
• #39 Dooney Johnson - committed to Gonzaga
• #40 Jaxson Davis*
• #42 Donovan Davis*
• #45 Micah Gordon
• #79 Jack Kohnen

From what I can gather online, those with an asterisk are the ones Marquette is aggressively pursuing. Just gotta hope we ramp things up considering that On3 doesn't predict Marquette to be any of these guys' final two schools...

With Nigel James possibly having as many as 4 years left at Marquette, I doubt Shaka lands any of the small PGs.

That would mean Jaxson Davis, Antonio Pemberton, and Micah Gordon are unlikely.

Lots of smoke about Iowa State and Donovan Davis.  Another player Shaka is unlikely to land.

As was mentioned, the competition for Devin Cleveland will be fierce.

But now that Shaka's back in the portal game, HS recruiting isn't as critical.

[Zog from Margo]

With Nigel James possibly having as many as 4 years left at Marquette, I doubt Shaka lands any of the small PGs.

That would mean Jaxson Davis, Antonio Pemberton, and Micah Gordon are unlikely.

Lots of smoke about Iowa State and Donovan Davis.  Another player Shaka is unlikely to land.

As was mentioned, the competition for Devin Cleveland will be fierce.

But now that Shaka's back in the portal game, HS recruiting isn't as critical.

I see the portal as a supplement to fill in recruiting gaps. I think HS recruiting continues to be very important. Unfortunately, Shaka's HS recruiting was spotty for a couple of years and he really has not been able to land top local players where MU would seem to have a tie.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

With Nigel James possibly having as many as 4 years left at Marquette, I doubt Shaka lands any of the small PGs.

That would mean Jaxson Davis, Antonio Pemberton, and Micah Gordon are unlikely.

Lots of smoke about Iowa State and Donovan Davis.  Another player Shaka is unlikely to land.

As was mentioned, the competition for Devin Cleveland will be fierce.

But now that Shaka's back in the portal game, HS recruiting isn't as critical.

Pretty sure he's still going to focus on recruiting, retention and development.

[K1 Lover]

Regardless of how things go, it's good to see that Shaka has clearly adjusted from his mistakes and realized RGV can't make up for a lack of talent, hence the notably higher-ranked recruiting targets. Even if we don't end up signing anyone from this list, I'd like to see the staff continue to recruit just as ambitiously next year.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Pretty sure he's still going to focus on recruiting, retention and development.

Sure.

But when the top recruits go elsewhere, or players don't develop, the portal will be there to help.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I see the portal as a supplement to fill in recruiting gaps. I think HS recruiting continues to be very important. Unfortunately, Shaka's HS recruiting was spotty for a couple of years and he really has not been able to land top local players where MU would seem to have a tie.

Exactly.  Shaka's goal will be to land and develop HS recruits.  But the portal is there to supplement any shortcomings.

[Stretchdeltsig]

It seems that college basketball is crumbling. The too lax transfer rules and portal money are ruining the game that we once loved. its sickening for fans and coaches. Its becoming a professional minor league. It's sad.

[willie warrior]

I'm not exactly in the know, but unless we decide to go all in on someone, it certainly feels like we could miss out on all of them. Shaka targeting higher-ranked recruits obviously means much higher recruiting competition.

It seems the player we're most 'warm' on is Cleveland, who currently has Marquette as one of his 3 finalists, though I'm not getting my hopes too high since the other two schools we're competing with for him are Michigan and Arkansas.

What? How dare you? Shaka isn't getting the job on the recruiting trail? This is news!

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Sure.

But when the top recruits go elsewhere, or players don't develop, the portal will be there to help.

Completely agree. I just think it will be a tool and not a focus.

For example, if this upcoming class does not turn out the way Shaka envisioned, he can keep those scholarships open.

[wadesworld]

It seems that college basketball is crumbling. The too lax transfer rules and portal money are ruining the game that we once loved. its sickening for fans and coaches. Its becoming a professional minor league. It's sad.

Yeah that's why this year's NCAA Tournament set viewership records.

[The Sultan]

It seems that college basketball is crumbling. The too lax transfer rules and portal money are ruining the game that we once loved. its sickening for fans and coaches. Its becoming a professional minor league. It's sad.

Nothing is ruined. Just calm down.

[MU82]

I remember when freshman eligibility was going to ruin college basketball. And then the 3-point line and shot clock were going to ruin college basketball. And then expanding the tournament to 64 teams was going to ruin college basketball.

It sure has been ruined a lot!