We have seen the results now for a few classes in a row, on what happens if you ignore HS recruiting....adding Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey to this mix, ultimately doesn't make sense as a long term solution, the problem gets fixed by getting players from freshman year to senior year.....it is the Michigan State, Purdue model and it works.....
2021....Jalen Miller
2022....Derek Simpson, Ant Woolfork (Darren Buchanan was a RU target, now here but an original 2022 HS recruiting target)....Antonio Chol.....
2023....Gavin Griffiths, JaMicheal Davis, (Baye Fall was a 2023 target, clearly not a player)....Tariq Francis is a 2023 HS recruit, landed as a transfer)....Emmanuel Ogbole was a JUCO recruit in 2023 and because he played more than 2 seasons, could be viewed like a HS recruit...
2024....Lathan Sommerville, Bryce Dortch, Dylan Grant (Ace & Dylan 1 & done)
2025....Chris Nwuli, Kaden Powers, Lino Mark, Dorian Jones, Gevonte Ware, Harun Zrno, Denis Badalau
2026....Imahri Wooten.
The only way to sustain a roster is by adding multiple HS kids each and every year.
If you are trying to fix the problem in the short and long term, there has to be layers of depth added each and every year.
Technically we have added a lot in 2025 (excluding Euro additions who are truly year to year, where USA kids are not disappearing to play in Europe or overseas to their home countries....we need to stay on that path.
2022 Derek Simpson (Top 225 range)
2022 Antwon Woolfork (Top 275-300 range)
2022 Antonio Chol (Top 300 range)
2022 Darren Buchanan 3* (Top 175 to 200)
2023 Griffiths 4* (top 50-60 range)
2023 Davis 3* (top 300 range)
2024 Sommerville 4* (top 100 to 150 range)
2024 Grant 3* (top 150 range)
2025 Dorian Jones 4* (top 100)
2025 Chris Nwuli 4* (top 100-125 range)
2025 Kaden Powers 3* (top 250 range)
2025 Lino Mark 3* (Top 200 range)
2026 Imahri Wooten 3* (Top 175 range)
Out of this total group of players in the last 4 classes, only 1 player in 4 years, has suited up for RU for at least 3 full seasons....JaMicheal Davis.
Some have played 1 year, 2 years, but it is impossible to string together consistent play, when only 1 player actually looks comfortable doing what he's doing.....that same player is JaMicheal Davis.
Look, I am not advocating for Davis to be a starter....he is a very solid player at this stage of his career and has played through a lot of different guards alongside of him.
But if you want to build a program and not a roster of inconsistent players mixed with other newcomers, we need to retain players and find more HS recruiting wins, who will go through the 4 year plan from freshman to senior year at RU.....like Geo Baker, Caleb McConnell, Myles Johnson, RHJ, Cliff Omoruyi....even Mag and Mulcahy weren't stars, but went through the cycle to become contributing players.
I would add another TWO HS kids in 2026 in the next 30 days.....and make sure we land 2 or more 2027 HS recruiting wins.....In the Top 75 to 175 range.....
Pike and Kelli Zinn specifically need to provide real assets to upgrade in the portal AND in HS recruiting.....so the program is fixed.
It's not complicated, but the portal isn't going to save or fix this....basic HS recruiting and retaining players is the only true fix.
2021....Jalen Miller
2022....Derek Simpson, Ant Woolfork (Darren Buchanan was a RU target, now here but an original 2022 HS recruiting target)....Antonio Chol.....
2023....Gavin Griffiths, JaMicheal Davis, (Baye Fall was a 2023 target, clearly not a player)....Tariq Francis is a 2023 HS recruit, landed as a transfer)....Emmanuel Ogbole was a JUCO recruit in 2023 and because he played more than 2 seasons, could be viewed like a HS recruit...
2024....Lathan Sommerville, Bryce Dortch, Dylan Grant (Ace & Dylan 1 & done)
2025....Chris Nwuli, Kaden Powers, Lino Mark, Dorian Jones, Gevonte Ware, Harun Zrno, Denis Badalau
2026....Imahri Wooten.
The only way to sustain a roster is by adding multiple HS kids each and every year.
If you are trying to fix the problem in the short and long term, there has to be layers of depth added each and every year.
Technically we have added a lot in 2025 (excluding Euro additions who are truly year to year, where USA kids are not disappearing to play in Europe or overseas to their home countries....we need to stay on that path.
2022 Derek Simpson (Top 225 range)
2022 Antwon Woolfork (Top 275-300 range)
2022 Antonio Chol (Top 300 range)
2022 Darren Buchanan 3* (Top 175 to 200)
2023 Griffiths 4* (top 50-60 range)
2023 Davis 3* (top 300 range)
2024 Sommerville 4* (top 100 to 150 range)
2024 Grant 3* (top 150 range)
2025 Dorian Jones 4* (top 100)
2025 Chris Nwuli 4* (top 100-125 range)
2025 Kaden Powers 3* (top 250 range)
2025 Lino Mark 3* (Top 200 range)
2026 Imahri Wooten 3* (Top 175 range)
Out of this total group of players in the last 4 classes, only 1 player in 4 years, has suited up for RU for at least 3 full seasons....JaMicheal Davis.
Some have played 1 year, 2 years, but it is impossible to string together consistent play, when only 1 player actually looks comfortable doing what he's doing.....that same player is JaMicheal Davis.
Look, I am not advocating for Davis to be a starter....he is a very solid player at this stage of his career and has played through a lot of different guards alongside of him.
But if you want to build a program and not a roster of inconsistent players mixed with other newcomers, we need to retain players and find more HS recruiting wins, who will go through the 4 year plan from freshman to senior year at RU.....like Geo Baker, Caleb McConnell, Myles Johnson, RHJ, Cliff Omoruyi....even Mag and Mulcahy weren't stars, but went through the cycle to become contributing players.
I would add another TWO HS kids in 2026 in the next 30 days.....and make sure we land 2 or more 2027 HS recruiting wins.....In the Top 75 to 175 range.....
Pike and Kelli Zinn specifically need to provide real assets to upgrade in the portal AND in HS recruiting.....so the program is fixed.
It's not complicated, but the portal isn't going to save or fix this....basic HS recruiting and retaining players is the only true fix.