Recruiting as of 5/15/25

[Galway Eagle]

Parents are learning what Shaka is doing, strategy to be consistently good is having back to back good recruiting classes.  Let's face it, junior and senior class were below average.  The last two classes seem to be better and already he has 2 future kids for the next year. Add one more player who can play then you have 9 good kids, now you just get lucky on questionable players.

Chase- well above average
Ben Gold- average to above average
Sean Jones- tbd as he's only played a year and a half.

Seems ridiculous to make that statement about the senior class.

The junior class that seems accurate though Zaide showed real promise in multiple games and I think it's too early to write him off yet.

[Jay Bee]

The way I see it 2025-2026 a step back, 2026-27 a step forward, 2027-28 a step forward, 2028-29 step forward and then a step back as the cycle starts all over again.

bizarre thinking

[GoldenEagles03]

Shaka's strategy will fail, if he starts losing good players to the portal. As long as this does not happen Shaka's strategy will work. We lost three multi-year staters, so we need to be patient this year. The way I see it 2025-2026 a step back, 2026-27 a step forward, 2027-28 a step forward, 2028-29 step forward and then a step back as the cycle starts all over again.

I don't think so...because he's already said if they lose important pieces that they expected back, they would be irresponsible to not look at the portal. That's in his plan, they just haven't had to utilize that part of it yet.

[bilsu]

bizarre thinking

Jaybe you ae always an ass.

[Jay Bee]

Jaybe you ae always an ass.

Well stated!

[MarquetteMike1977]

Final 2025 Recruiting Rankings From Jeff Borzello ESPN

Marquette is #2 in The Big East Behind UCONN and #16 Nationally

16. Marquette Golden Eagles
January ranking: 13
Top recruit: Nigel James (No. 67)
Shaka Smart has built his past couple of Marquette teams via roster retention and experience, and is bringing in a four-man group that will have the ability to grow within the program.
James rose nearly 30 spots in the rankings during his high school season; he brings toughness to the point guard spot. Fellow ESPN 100 prospects Michael Phillips II (No. 95) and Adrien Stevens (No. 100) join him. Phillips, who reclassified from the 2026 class, has huge upside, and Stevens is aggressive going to the rim. Three-star wing Ian Miletic rounds out the group.

[MuMark]

I don't have access to share details......if anyone else does it would be interesting to see his thoughts on MU

https://x.com/jamieshaw5/status/1928091648677888310?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

[Jockey]

NY Rens continue winning: The best story early in the EYBL season is the NY Rens. All they do is win, and they do it without big five-star names. While the Rens did end up taking its first loss of the EYBL season in KC, they still sit at 10-1, tied with Team Takeover for the top team in 17u EYBL. The Rens have everything — an elite point guard in three-star Jordan Skyers (9.7 ppg, 4.5 apg), a scoring guard in Jasiah Jervis (16.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and a low post presence in Najai Hines (13.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg). And you can't forget about top-50 2027 prospect Anderson Diaz, who's averaging double-digit points and 2.2 steals per game playing up, as well as Marquette commit Ethan Johnston, who's the ultimate glue-guy.

[Jockey]

Also from Zagsblog:

Vaughn Karvala, Team Herro: This kid is a stud and a true do-it-all wing. Karvala has had an impressive start to the EYBL season, but he took his game to another level during Session 3. He was particularly impressive against Tyran Stokes and the Oakland Soldiers on Monday, dropping 24 points while Stokes guarded him most of the game. Karvala can hit shots from everywhere on the court and has one of the smoothest looking 3-point strokes of anyone ZAGSBLOG has watched this summer. Look for his recruitment to really pick up as the summer moves on into possibly Blue Blood territory.

[Jay Bee]

Also from Zagsblog:

Vaughn Karvala, Team Herro: This kid is a stud and a true do-it-all wing.

u gunna break down his unassisted mid-range stats for us there, Joke-y?

[Jockey]

u gunna break down his unassisted mid-range stats for us there, Joke-y?

When I saw you quoted me, I was really hoping it was about more of your pickleball hijinks. Can't get enough of those.

[Shooter McGavin]

NY Rens continue winning: The best story early in the EYBL season is the NY Rens. All they do is win, and they do it without big five-star names. While the Rens did end up taking its first loss of the EYBL season in KC, they still sit at 10-1, tied with Team Takeover for the top team in 17u EYBL. The Rens have everything — an elite point guard in three-star Jordan Skyers (9.7 ppg, 4.5 apg), a scoring guard in Jasiah Jervis (16.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and a low post presence in Najai Hines (13.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg). And you can't forget about top-50 2027 prospect Anderson Diaz, who's averaging double-digit points and 2.2 steals per game playing up, as well as Marquette commit Ethan Johnston, who's the ultimate glue-guy.

How about Johnston?  I like glue but assume he has good stats too? 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Ethan Johnston is a defensive first prospect.  His offensive numbers for the NY Rens aren't great.  His jump shot is a major work in progress.

[Tha Hound]

NY Rens continue winning: The best story early in the EYBL season is the NY Rens. All they do is win, and they do it without big five-star names. While the Rens did end up taking its first loss of the EYBL season in KC, they still sit at 10-1, tied with Team Takeover for the top team in 17u EYBL. The Rens have everything — an elite point guard in three-star Jordan Skyers (9.7 ppg, 4.5 apg), a scoring guard in Jasiah Jervis (16.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and a low post presence in Najai Hines (13.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg). And you can't forget about top-50 2027 prospect Anderson Diaz, who's averaging double-digit points and 2.2 steals per game playing up, as well as Marquette commit Ethan Johnston, who's the ultimate glue-guy.

Being referred to as the "ultimate glue guy" as a high school prospect feels more negative than positive. Would hate to know his stats/general offensive game if that's the best thing they can say. Talk about a project... 

[HutchwasClutch]

Ethan Johnston is a defensive first prospect.  His offensive numbers for the NY Rens aren't great.  His jump shot is a major work in progress.

Fantastic.  We need more bad shooters.   It's clearly how the game is played and won now. 

[Jockey]

Ethan Johnston is a defensive first prospect.  His offensive numbers for the NY Rens aren't great.  His jump shot is a major work in progress.

Yeah, it sounded kinda Tre Norman-ish.

[wadesworld]

We should fold the program. Shaka doesn't know what he's doing.

[brewcity77]

Yeah, it sounded kinda Tre Norman-ish.

Not going by AAU stats, Tre Norman's AAU comps were generally All-Americans and #1 overall NBA draft picks (not kidding).

[jfp61]

Not going by AAU stats, Tre Norman's AAU comps were generally All-Americans and #1 overall NBA draft picks (not kidding).

our backcourt is rough enough without stevie and kam that if norman shows anything on offense next year, that dude is starting

[brewcity77]

our backcourt is rough enough without stevie and kam that if norman shows anything on offense next year, that dude is starting

Nah, Shaka already phased him out of the lineup at the end of last year. He was barely playing from February 1st on other than in double-digit wins.

Starters seem to pretty clearly be Sean/Chase/Zaide/Parham/Gold. Maybe Owens gets in as a wing if he makes a leap, but barring injury this feels like an easy starting five to pencil in.

Edit: Actually, he was phased out for the most part by January 1. Single digit minutes in 15/20 games. Of the 5 exceptions, 4 were double-digit wins, and the other was the OT road win at DePaul where Stevie was in foul trouble all night.

[jfp61]

Between Sean, Zaide, and Damarius.....

TBD. Leaves alot to be desired. Thats a limited group

[Jockey]

Not going by AAU stats, Tre Norman's AAU comps were generally All-Americans and #1 overall NBA draft picks (not kidding).

I was just reacting to the way he was described in the article and the comment that followed.

I have no idea what type of player he will actually be.

[Uncle Rico]

I was just reacting to the way he was described in the article and the comment that followed.

I have no idea what type of player he will actually be.

He'll never be good enough to be a starter at St. John's

[Zog from Margo]

our backcourt is rough enough without stevie and kam that if norman shows anything on offense next year, that dude is starting

I've enjoyed watching Stevie over his career, but Lowery was playing at least as well as Stevie by the end of the season. Shaka defers to experience. Kam will be tough to replace. Stevie's example will be tough to replace.

[tower912]

Between Sean, Zaide, and Damarius.....

TBD. Leaves alot to be desired. Thats a limited group

That is how I feel about some posters.