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Jeff Borzello
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ESPN Staff Writer
- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduate of University of Delaware.
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Paul Biancardi
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Basketball Recruiting
- National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com
- 18 years of coaching experience at Division I level
- Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State
The college basketball season rapidly approaching means something different in the recruiting world: the early signing period is just around the corner. We’re just over one month away from pen hitting paper and fax machines — Do people still use fax machines? — buzzing with signed letters of intent.
While the days and weeks leading up to the signing period will undoubtedly bring shifts to the landscape, the 2023 recruiting cycle is already well advanced. Fifteen of the 21 five-star prospects in ESPN’s rankings have made their college decisions — an incredibly high number compared to past seasons. Around 70 players in the ESPN 100 are committed.
What stands out in the first iteration of our 2023 recruiting class rankings?
Duke and Kentucky battling for No. 1. Again.
The Duke-Kentucky duopoly at the top of the recruiting class rankings isn’t anything close to a surprise at this point. Sure, the likes of Memphis, Gonzaga and Michigan temporarily broke up their hegemony in recent years, but Duke and Kentucky have generally been several steps ahead of their competition on the recruiting trail. Either Duke or Kentucky had the top-ranked class every year but one from 2009 to 2018, while also garnering that honor in 2020 and 2022. And there’s an overwhelming likelihood one of them will end up at No. 1 in 2023.
Duke is comfortably on top right now, with four five-star commitments — Mackenzie Mgbako, Sean Stewart, Caleb Foster and Jared McCain — and another top-40 recruit in T.J. Power. Kentucky has two top-10 recruits in Justin Edwards and Robert Dillingham, as well as a top-30 prospect in Reed Sheppard. And the Wildcats are strong contenders for top-ranked prospect D.J. Wagner and No. 5 overall player Aaron Bradshaw, while also maintaining pursuit of No. 10 Ron Holland.
Pair of recruiting powers making a comeback
Michigan State and UConn have been two of the best college basketball programs in the country over the last 25 years, and for much of that quarter-decade, they had the recruiting to match. Neither group had a top-25 recruiting class last year, but both are back — in a big way. Michigan State slots in at No. 3 in the early rankings, while the Huskies are at No. 5.
Both Tom Izzo and Dan Hurley landed well-rounded classes with a mix of immediate-impact ability and high-ceiling potential. Michigan State has four ESPN 100 prospects in its four-man class, while UConn already landed five four-star commitments, including three in the top 100.
Neither Iowa State nor Ole Miss is a staple inside the national recruiting class rankings. In fact, since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007, Ole Miss has never had a five-star commit. Iowa State was in that same category … until a couple of months ago, at least. But both programs sit inside the top 10 in the country right now, with impressive early work done by T.J. Otzelberger and Kermit Davis.
Iowa State landed top-10 prospect Omaha Biliew, the aforementioned highest-ranked Cyclone commit in the modern recruiting era, while also getting a commitment from skilled forward Milan Momcilovic, himself ranked No. 31 in the class. Ole Miss, meanwhile, also had four commitments — three four-star prospects and two ESPN 100 recruits. Josh Hubbard and Rashaud Marshall are the headliners, with Hubbard particularly impactful given his status as the state’s No. 1 prospect and the fact the Rebels beat out Mississippi State for his commitment.
First-year head coaches making early statements
There are five new head coaches with classes ranked in the top 25: Jon Scheyer, Duke; Sean Miller, Xavier; Jerome Tang, Kansas State; Kevin Willard, Maryland; and Kenny Payne, Louisville. Perhaps none of the five should be considered a surprise.
Scheyer established himself as a high-level recruiter as an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski, and the Duke brand is as good as it gets in recruiting. Miller had Arizona competing with the bluebloods of the sport for recruits, while Willard was an adept recruiter at Seton Hall. Tang was a part of a Baylor staff that consistently landed ranked recruiting classes, and Payne was considered one of the best recruiters in the country as an assistant at Kentucky under John Calipari.
It’s imperative for a new coach to immediately establish recruiting momentum in their first full cycle, and those five have done just that.
Top commit: PF Mackenzie Mgbako (No. 4)
In Jon Scheyer’s first recruiting class after being named Mike Krzyzewski’s successor, the Blue Devils landed the No. 1 class in the country. And in Scheyer’s second recruiting class, Duke is atop the rankings once again. As mentioned earlier, it’s not a lock the Blue Devils end up at No. 1 given some of Kentucky’s remaining targets, but it’s comfortably the best class in the country right now. Four five-star prospects lead the way: Mackenzie Mgbako, Sean Stewart, Caleb Foster and Jared McCain, while T.J. Power is at No. 40. It’s also worth mentioning that there was another five-star commitment, but Australia native Tyrese Proctor opted to reclassify and enroll for the upcoming season. Mgbako can make a case as the best player in the country after a consistently productive summer when demonstrated his motor and ability to pose matchup problems for opponents. Stewart is an elite rebounder, while Foster is one of the best point guards in the class. McCain can really score, while Power had a fantastic grassroots season and can make shots inside and out.
Top commit: SF Justin Edwards (No. 2)
Since John Calipari became head coach at Kentucky in 2009, the Wildcats have had the No. 1 or No. 2 class in all but three seasons. No. 2 recruit Justin Edwards challenged for the top spot with his competitive nature, versatile defense and a highly productive summer offensively. Edwards scores by finalizing plays inside, along with a hard straight line face up game and 3-point shot. He possesses the physical tools for an NBA wing. Top-10 SG Robert Dillingham is a pure scoring presence, as well as a bonafide shot creator and playmaker. No. 26 Reed Sheppard will blend in right away with his fundamental play, offensive skill and decision-making. Plus, Kentucky has a legitimate opportunity to take over the top spot if any combination of No. 1 D.J. Wagner, No. 4 Aaron Bradshaw or No. 10 Ron Holland decide to play in Lexington next season.
Top commit: C Xavier Booker (No. 3)
Four commitments, four ESPN 100 prospects. The Spartans have an impressive 2023 cycle thus far with a group that gets them back on the right foot after not landing a top-25 class in 2022. Xavier Booker is the big name. By far the biggest stock-riser of the spring and summer, Booker went from unranked to the No. 3 overall prospect in the country off the back of elite performances on the grassroots circuit and an MVP showing at the Pangos All-American Camp. Jeremy Fears is one of the best point guards in the class, bringing aggressiveness and energy at both ends of the floor. Coen Carr and Gehrig Normand are also ranked inside the top 100, but they’ll bring different skill sets to the table. Carr is extremely explosive, while Normand is a knockdown shooter.
Top commit: PF Kwame Evans (No. 12)
Oregon has a talented trio of ESPN prospects on the books for next season and currently the best early class in the Pac-12. No. 12 Kwame Evans and No. 15 Mookie Cook have terrific position size. At 6-foot-9, Evans, a left-handed forward, demonstrates outstanding ball skills with a shooting touch and great versatility. Cook is an extremely talented 6-7 wing from Portland who decommitted in June but recommited to Oregon in August. No. 48 Jackson Shelstad, the Ducks’ first commit back in November 2021, plays at in-state West Linn High School, which produced former Duck and current Boston Celtic Payton Pritchard. He brings leadership intangibles, outside shooting and facilitation skills. With extreme length and size, look for Dana Altman to exploit the mismatch on the offensive end and utilize their wingspan in his zone press on the defensive end.
Top commit: PG Stephon Castle (No. 23)
Dan Hurley and his staff did their work early in the 2023 class, securing five commitments before the end of September. The first commitment was the best of the group: top-25 point guard Stephon Castle. Castle possesses great size at 6-foot-6 and is an excellent passer and decision-maker with the ball in his hands. Two other ESPN 100 prospects in the class are Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart. Ball was one of the best scorers on the Nike EYBL circuit, while Stewart was highly efficient and productive in the spring and summer and brings plenty of versatility. Four-star wing Jayden Ross is an intriguing long-term prospect, and 7-foot center Youssouf Singare provides a defensive anchor inside.
Top commit: SF Scotty Middleton (No. 18)
The Buckeyes had Bronny James on campus for a visit in early September, but the eldest son of LeBron James has yet to make an announcement. Still, Chris Holtmann and staff have put impressive back-to-back top 10 recruiting classes, landing seven ESPN 100 prospects who fit their style of play and team culture. No. 18 SF Scotty Middleton is the highest-ranked prospect, bringing two-way production with his defensive prowess and offensive versatility. Top-40 PG Taison Chatman displays deep range and the ability to navigate in ball screens with poise. No. 51 Devin Royal has a durable frame with an inside-out scoring ability and can play a small ball forward or a power wing as a dual forward role. He was the third most efficient scorer in the Nike EYBL, according to Synergy. Four-star Austin Parks brings back-to-the-basket size at 6-10, footwork and post moves.
Top commit: PF Omaha Biliew (No. 9)
After building the Cyclones’ Sweet 16 team primarily via the transfer portal — Tyrese Hunter the obvious exception — T.J. Otzelberger has switched tactics and gone after some big names in the 2023 class. Top-10 recruit Omaha Biliew became the program’s highest-ranked commitment in the modern recruiting era when he picked Iowa State in late July, giving Otzelberger one of the best rebounders and defensive players in the class. Biliew is joined by big-time stock-riser Milan Momcilovic, a skilled forward who can step out and shoot. Four-star wing Jelani Hamilton and Kansas City product Kayden Fish are also in the fold.
Top commit: SG Freddie Dilione (No. 27)
Since his arrival in Knoxville, Rick Barnes has been relentless on the recruiting trail. Tennessee’s recruiting class had a productive summer. Freddie Dilione went from No. 98 to No. 27 because of his secure scoring ability with excellent positional size at 6-5. He will be an immediate threat both on and off the ball, especially in isolations with spacing. Center J.P. Estrella is a promising 6-11 big man with skills and the understanding of how to function with his teammates, which creates on-court chemistry. Estrella, who went from unranked to the top 50, is developing his post-up and face-up packages at a rapid rate. Four-star Cade Phillips is a strong finisher who rebounds with length, bounce and secure hands.
Top commit: PG Trey Green (No. 53)
It hasn’t taken long for Sean Miller, who landed top-seven recruiting classes in seven straight seasons at Arizona, to make an impact on the recruiting trail for the Musketeers. Xavier’s 2023 class is headlined by two ESPN 100 prospects, Trey Green and Dailyn Swain. Green, a 5-foot-9 point guard, had a terrific spring and summer, showing capable playmaking ability and making better than 40% of his 3s. Swain is excellent in transition and possesses an intriguing ceiling. Four-star forward Reid Ducharme is a New England product and had some huge games — including three 30-point efforts and a 42-point performance — in July. Kachi Nzeh is the fourth member of the group.
Top commit: PG Josh Hubbard (No. 74)
Last year, Ole Miss made finished strong with the 12th-ranked class. Now, the Rebels are in the top 10. Coach Kermit Davis has been successful in his back yard, winning an in-state battle for PG Josh Hubbard, the No. 1 prospect in the state of Mississippi. He thrives in the transition game and brings a winning background. Also inside the ESPN 100 is workhorse Rashaud Marshall, a center who committed in July and displays the engine needed to battle in the paint and on the glass. Four-star combo forward Jordan Burks is long and lankly who can contribute in the long term. Three-star Jacob Gazzo is a sleeper who is both skilled and bouncy. In a conference that has boasted the most ESPN 100 prospects over the last two years, Davis is keeping pace in the SEC.
Top commit: C Brandon Garrison (No. 37)
Mike Boynton had an impressive two-month recruiting run from early July to mid-September, a stretch in which the Cowboys netted four commitments. It started with the lone ESPN 100 prospect in the group, four-star center Brandon Garrison. Garrison is an effective inside scorer and rebounder — especially on the offensive glass — and represented USA Basketball at the FIBA U18 Americas during the summer. Four-star guard Jamyron Keller followed in August, with in-state wing Connor Dow pledged in September. Justin McBride, a summer breakout performer, rounded out the four-man group by picking Oklahoma State over Missouri and Arizona State.
Top commit: SF DeShawn Harris-Smith (No. 54)
Kevin Willard’s three-player class form a big statement. The Terps are prioritizing recruiting in the DMV area, and this is only the beginning. No. 54 SF DeShawn Harris-Smith and No. 65 SF Jamie Kaiser are from nearby Virginia, while and four-star SG Jahnathan Lamothe is from in-state Baltimore. Harris-Smith brings major credibility as a two-way contributor who possesses a strong and rugged frame.. He distributes with accuracy and makes outside shots. Kaiser was a late stock riser with a potent 3-point shot, body strength and strong bounce, helping his New World team win the Adidas championship. Lamothe is a comfortable outside shooter and free throw shooter who brings playmaking ability.
Top commit: C Amani Hansberry (No. 64)
For the fourth straight year, Brad Underwood has secured multiple ESPN 100 prospects in his recruiting class. The Fighting Illini landed summer stock-riser Amani Hansberry in late August. Hansberry is expanding his face-up game, but is already difficult to handle in the post despite his 6-foot-7 size due to his physicality, motor and impressive decision-making. He was joined in late September by Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, who decommitted from Purdue over the summer. He is a capable ball-handler and playmaker who is also comfortable off the ball as a scorer and shot-maker.
Top commit: SG R.J. Jones (No. 42)
First-year head coach Jerome Tang built a reputation as a skilled and tireless recruiter, as well as an impressive teacher of the game, when he helped build Baylor into a national champion. He looks to have similar success at Kansas State. Coming to campus are a talented pair of ESPN 100 guards in No. 42 R.J. Jones and No. 81 Dai Dai Ames. Jones will provide pure shot-making and scoring abilities, both in transition and against a set defense. Look for him to be one of leading scorers as a freshman. Ames, a scoring point guard, is quick and will run the transition offense with his speed. Three-star Macaleab Rich will bring a different dynamic, as he is a versatile forward who will carve out space inside or take it off the rim and push the break.
Top commit: C Devin Williams (No. 41)
Remember the questions when Mick Cronin took over in Westwood about whether the former Cincinnati coach could attract elite talent to UCLA? Those have been answered time and time again over the last couple of seasons, including a top-five recruiting class in 2022. And Cronin already has frontcourt reinforcements lined up for the 2023-24 campaign. Top-50 center Devin Williams is the headliner so far with his length, explosiveness and face-up game out to the 3-point line. He’s joined by ESPN 100 forward Brandon Williams, a New York native who was convinced to head out West for college.
Top commit: C Joseph Tugler (No. 77)
Kelvin Sampson and his staff have built Houston into a national contender with a 2021 Final Four run and last year’s Elite Eight appearance. His 2023 recruiting class has toughness, size and versatility. No. 77 Joseph Tugler is one of the best rebounders in the country, plays through contact and finishes like a veteran. No. 93 Jacob McFarland, who has excellent NBA potential, is a major vertical threat as a lob-catcher and play-finisher. At 6-11, he possesses soft hands with a scoring touch, patience as a shot-blocker and anticipation as a weakside rebounder. Three-star SG Kordelius Jefferson plays hard on both ends of the floor.
Top commit: SG Ja’Kobe Walter (No. 17)
The Bears should be loaded on the perimeter this season, and Scott Drew already has two more guards lined up in the 2023 class. Five-star Texas wing Ja’Kobe Walter is a big-time scorer who put up nearly 23 points per game on the Adidas circuit last spring; he has great size for the position and can score at all three levels. Finnish guard Miro Little will line up next to Walter in Waco. Little is considered one of the best international prospects looking to go to college in 2023; he can create for himself and others, and shoot from 3.
Top commit: SF Curtis Williams (No. 58)
Kenny Payne’s strength as a recruiter — he consistently contributed to top-ranked recruiting classes during his time at Kentucky — was one of his biggest selling points when Louisville was looking for a Chris Mack replacement. And while he hasn’t delivered a top-five recruit yet, the Cardinals do have two ESPN 100 prospects committed for 2023. Curtis Williams has been known in recruiting circles for a few years; he has great size and can make shots. Kaleb Glenn will bring more physicality and toughness to Louisville’s frontcourt — and he flashed perimeter ability on the grassroots circuit in the spring and summer.
Top commit: PG Edgerrin James (No. 59)
The Bearcats made a late push into the first edition of the rankings with the addition of Edgerrin James in early October. James, better known as “Jizzle” and the son of former NFL star Edgerrin James, is a tough, fearless, 6-foot-1 point guard who stays in attack mode. He’s the second ESPN 100 commitment in the 2023 class for Wes Miller, who also landed four-star wing Rayvon Griffith in the spring. Griffith played on a loaded grassroots team in the spring and summer, but stood out due to his explosiveness and ability to make plays in the open floor.
Top commit: PG Isaiah West (No. 63)
The Commodores have three solid players who could play early and develop together. ESPN 100 PG Isaiah West, who is scheduled to return from a torn ACL midway through his senior season, was playing at a high level both behind and inside the arc and had demonstrated strong passing abilities for making assists. Carter Lang is a four-star lefty with sure hands and a soft touch that will make him a viable pick-and-pop threat and low-post option. Four star JaQualon Roberts is a quick power forward with inside-out production. He is a capable 3-point shooter who is also active on the glass.
Top commit: SF Lamariyon Jordan (No. 72)
Mike White is a veteran of the SEC after his successful run at Florida. in his first full recruiting class at Georgia, he has made statement in rebuilding the program with two talented and coachable ESPN 100 prospects with positional size who will ignite the Bulldogs. Forward Dylan James is explosive with a quick second jump around the rim. He takes long strides with his long 6-foot-9 frame, and he also has a skilled and mobile face-up game. Defensively, he has shot-blocking upside. SG Lamariyon Jordan is the full package. He can catch lobs and has a more-than-capable 3-point shot in transition and in the half court. At 6-6, he has an impressive mid-range scoring touch.
Top commit: C Carey Booth (No. 75)
Micah Shrewsberry’s first full recruiting class with the Nittany Lions ended up just outside the top 25, but they’re comfortably in the rankings as the early signing period nears. There are three four-star recruits currently committed, led by ESPN 100 center Carey Booth. Booth is an intriguing big man with a lot of potential given his development and growth over the last year, along with his 6-10, 190-pound size and skill level. Four-star guards Braeden Shrewsberry — son of the Penn State head coach — and Logan Imes played with each other on the grassroots circuit and are the backcourt of the future. Shrewsberry in particular is one to watch; he can really shoot the ball and will make an impact as a scorer.
Top commit: SF Brady Dunlap (No. 82)
Mike Brey and his staff are diligent in bringing in talent and focusing on players’ abilities to execute, score without running plays, shooting with confidence behind the arc and displaying high basketball instincts .This group resonates with that, led by SF Brady Dunlap. He is a talented shot-maker and understands how to function with his teammates in pressure situations. Four-star SG Parker Friedrichsen is skilled from long distance — one of the better 3-point shooters in the 2023 class — and has an ability to initiate the offense and find open teammates. The Irish made local four-star PG standout Marcus Burton a priority. This collection of talent and traits will blend well.
Top commit: SG Jakai Newton (No. 84)
The Hoosiers landed a top-10 class in the 2022 cycle — a group that featured top-25 recruits Malik Reneau and Jalen Hood-Schifino — and Mike Woodson has them back in the national rankings for 2023. Indiana has two ESPN 100 guards in the fold in Jakai Newton and Gabe Cupps, which should help Woodson replace Xavier Johnson after this season. Newton brings good size to the backcourt, while Cupps can play either guard spot and is an effective playmaker who has range to the 3-point line.
Top commit: SG Tre Norman (No. 91)
With a year under his belt and back in his home state of Wisconsin, Shaka Smart has put together a strong three-man class. Tre Norman is a versatile downhill guard who thrives on attacking the basket when the defense switches; he is strong enough to overpower smaller guards and too fast for bigger defenders. Four-star SG Zaide Lowery is a high-percentage scorer who, with his 6-foot-4 frame and 6-10 wingspan, can stretch the floor. Alassane Amadou, a 6-9 four-star forward, has upside with his long frame, functional vertical bounce and finesse skills.