BB: 2027 Recruiting

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,314
8,930
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Can't find much on Illinois Mr. Basketball Jaxson Davis, but we've offered. 6'0" 190 lb PG. I wouldn't sleep on him, even though he's a *little* bit down the list. That would be another good pickup....
 
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Padsfs07

All-Conference
Jan 19, 2013
3,853
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No doubt. But their frontcourt (on paper) currently looks like a trainwreck.


Staton transferred out to Oregon St, but they picked up Adam Stewart (0.5 PPG) from TCU. Neither player is a rotational player, but Stewart may have been injured and also came back from a mission trip. They did bring 6'8 Mboup back (2.2 PPG) too, but Wahlin and Betsey look like the starters.

They've missed on several though like Edema (St Johns), Ruzic (LSU), and Ekezie (UL).

I think they are waiting on 7'1 Luigi Suigo from the draft. The deadline is June 13th for Int'l players. Suigo is deciding between them and Villanova, who has a similar issue with several 6'7-6'8 types that would start. Also, they are trying to add 7'5 Chinese center Xu Xin.

I'm grateful we aren't in this position anymore.
 

DKersey

Junior
Jul 29, 2023
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242
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There's actually a very good chance it happens. I'm not saying it will but we're in a great spot with each of those kids. Getting Hampton early was a big piece to that. I'm amazed at the turnaround Pope is seemingly having in recruiting. He's learning and getting better guys as assistants has helped.
Guess who is on his butt more than some of the naysayers........ Pitino....and he's trying to help Coach Pope
 

DKersey

Junior
Jul 29, 2023
109
242
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When he said "Mo", he meant Mo Williams, The ex-NBA professional guard hired as an assistant coach. He helped close the deal on Hampton.....

You are either thinking of his son, MASON Williams... Or thinking he meant Momcilovic when he said "Mo"...

The #1 kid (Spears Jr) is Hampton's cousin and they are very close and have discussed playing in college together. (though I doubt we beat out LSU or Texas for his services. We already have a great relationship with #3 (Rosser) and Hampton and Rosser are friends and have a good relationship. It'll be a battle for him but Hampton can assist some.
Keep in mind Spears senior went to UNC
 

BookofMormon

Senior
Mar 27, 2026
540
692
93
BYU probably rolls out:

Rob Wright
Collin Chandler (Great Value Brand - Richie Saunders)
Bruce Branch (4 star HS recruit Rueckert off the bench maybe)
They picked up two 3 star PF's Wahlin (Clemson) and Betsy (Syracuse) in the portal and an unranked HS recruit Openshaw (no clue who gets the starting spot and one of them will probably have to play the 5 as they didn't sign a true center and Boskovic and Kieta were SR's, unless one or both gets another year of eligibility)
Staton - A 6'11" freshmen that didn't play last year is currently the tallest player on the remaining roster I believe, so possibly their starting Center???

Not really sure how you can have a roster that incomplete with all the "money" BYU has and the "better recruiter and coach than Mark Pope" coach they have... They do seem like a mess with a couple solid guards/wings.
Really do - felt like they had no plan other than retaining Wright. Lot's of scraps, Wright and Branch (who looks so young). The B12 looks down this year as most of the teams have taken a step back.

Kansas - lost entire starting 5, including Bidunga, Tiller, DP. Step back.
Arizona - lost Bradley, Peat, Burries. Step back.
Houston - lost everyone but Tugler.
Iowa St - lost Tipsey, Jefferson, Milan. Step back.
Baylor - Carr, Tounde
BYU - discussed.

Down year there.

B10 has UM, Illinois, MSU that will be top 10, then a cliff.

ACC has Duke, Ville, Virginia.

SEC could be back there as best conference this year. Florida, Tenn, Arkansas, Kentucky.
 

Threedognight

Junior
May 26, 2026
205
279
63
I just watched this class in the U18s - you're not going to find a lot of kids coming in and being difference makes in year one, and then you risk them leaving OAD.
I’ll take it give me three slightly worse less expensive hs recruits that won’t feel confident about leaving after first year but still do more than Jasper or do the same as Moreno

also non of the three players I listed played in the u18 so you can’t judge them
 
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BookofMormon

Senior
Mar 27, 2026
540
692
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I’ll take it give me three slightly worse less expensive hs recruits that won’t feel confident about leaving after first year but still do more than Jasper or do the same as Moreno

also non of the three players I listed played in the u18 so you can’t judge them
Or do what Duke does and get the 5 stars that are willing to come off the bench for a year. Even so, they're being mocked in the first round. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Duke's crew of 5 starts (Rippey, Williams, Howard).
 

YankeeCpt_rivals378522

All-Conference
May 7, 2009
2,012
1,107
113
Dear eight pound, six ounce newborn infant Jesus, don't even know a word yet. Just a little infant, so cuddly but still omnipotent in golden fleece diapers, with tiny balled-up fists.....
 
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gbl97

All-American
Mar 12, 2002
3,580
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Someone make the case for why Hampton should pass up millions to go back to HS for another year to not get paid and risk major injury.
 
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UKVACats0107

Junior
Jan 19, 2026
160
223
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Wow! I know its just highlights, but its safe to say recruiting now is peeking to "elite fit" to Pope's system!

I feel Pope/UK from the commitment of Ryan Hampton early , shows me there will be more early commitments this year.

Love the athleticism he showed on that dunk with the flex! You take this kid if he wants to come......... unless!

Would not be surprised to see 4/5 HS kids committing, THE BIG 3!! plus 2.??? I don't see the portal being our savior for next season.. We are in on some "elite fits" . Mo is out there Grinding!!! Pope is adapting!! Culture Cred! ...Elite Recruits are noticing.

I like Lumpkin as well!! ...... its soo early for 2027 and " we outside"!! Im feelin it!
 
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Jul 17, 2025
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Hard no on more than 3 freshman
I begin to suspect you won't be super happy then. Might just make the cut off but I think they want a guard and a couple bigs in addition to Hampton.

The portal big man market is tough, you need at least one of quality before trying to fish because more than one is tough to come by and attract and the money seems loopy.

This year that Dynes guy was like 35th per ESPN, which seems like a market of last resort rather than the plan to me.

The portal is for like 3-7 unicorns everyone is dueling it out for, to get guards with some experience, and then depth pieces it seems more and more to me.

To sustain a high level squad, I think we need to be bringing in 2-4 5 star types, retain at least 5, and then hit the portal to plug gaps rather than as the base. This means developing and keeping some low 5's and 4 stars too which means recruiting them too.

If transfers were not expected to be reduced to one then we could use midmajors as a farm team and let them develop the non studs for us but it seems to be heading toward more limited opportunities for that model to where it maybe unwise to put too many eggs in that basket anymore.
 

PastorofMuppets82

All-Conference
Mar 4, 2025
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I begin to suspect you won't be super happy then. Might just make the cut off but I think they want a guard and a couple bigs in addition to Hampton.

The portal big man market is tough, you need at least one of quality before trying to fish because more than one is tough to come by and attract and the money seems loopy.

This year that Dynes guy was like 35th per ESPN, which seems like a market of last resort rather than the plan to me.

The portal is for like 3-7 unicorns everyone is dueling it out for, to get guards with some experience, and then depth pieces it seems more and more to me.

To sustain a high level squad, I think we need to be bringing in 2-4 5 star types, retain at least 5, and then hit the portal to plug gaps rather than as the base. This means developing and keeping some low 5's and 4 stars too which means recruiting them too.

If transfers were not expected to be reduced to one then we could use midmajors as a farm team and let them develop the non studs for us but it seems to be heading toward more limited opportunities for that model to where it maybe unwise to put too many eggs in that basket anymore.
This. The staff is reading the tea leaves on how things are fixing to change and trying to be prepared for it. I think the goal is 2-3 5 stars and 1-2 multi year developmental pieces from the high school ranks. This year in particular, I think that developmental focus will be on bigs. We already have the developmental guards (Williams and Z. Hawthorne) and Pope likes getting a proven wing shooter out of the portal and targeting one in recruiting . Whether or not he gets 2-3 5 stars will determine the rest obviously. But I wouldn't be surprised at all if the staff hones in on a mid tier 4 star Center that is raw with some good intangibles early and hard. They might even take two (or a PF that could possibly play both.)
 

DKersey

Junior
Jul 29, 2023
109
242
43
liking pg Jaxson Davis and sf Deng Ngor. Lot of vids available. Davis likely to be Illinois Player of the year for the third straight year, was thrilled with UK offer. Deng a Canadian and a stud. Not sure if we offered yet.
 
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