High 5 Prospects within the Massive 10
Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
The Scarlet Knights managed to recruit two of the best ranked basketball gamers within the class of 2024 and a kind of gamers is 6’8” small ahead Airious (Ace) Bailey (pictured). He ranked second in ESPN’s 2024 class rankings and whenever you watch his highschool spotlight tape, it’s fairly easy to see why he’s such a extremely touted prospect. Bailey’s elite athleticism permits him to get to the rim and sometimes throw down a thunderous slam or end with an acrobatic layup on the glass. His vertical and agility additionally permits him to be a standout on the defensive finish. If that wasn’t sufficient, his shot mechanics are easy and the potential for him to turn out to be an elite stretch ahead on the subsequent stage is sky excessive. Throughout his senior yr, Bailey was a high three finalist for the Gatorade Participant of the Yr after averaging 33 factors and 16 rebounds an evening. He took dwelling the glory for the state of Georgia and regardless that the Nationwide Participant of the Yr went to Cooper Flagg, Bailey was proper there. It might be good to see him enhance his playmaking a bit and open up alternatives for his teammates but when every thing goes in response to plan, Bailey tasks as a high 5 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
Dylan Harper was rated barely decrease than his Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey in highschool however anybody who paid consideration to the category knew that this man was an issue. Standing at 6’6” and main Don Bosco Prep to a Non-Public State Championship in his senior yr, Harper is a artful level guard that doesn’t have hassle getting himself open or creating alternatives for his teammates. His father, Ron Harper, together with with the Champion Bulls, performed within the NBA for 15 seasons and he was identified for his defensive skills which is unquestionably much like how his son performs the sport of basketball. He’s a flexible defender who can swap onto larger gamers and nonetheless be efficient on that aspect of the ball. Stylistically, he reminds of an even bigger Jalen Brunson, Harper has a easy left handed jumper that he’s not afraid to make use of in catch and shoot conditions or when he’s on the transfer, however he does have some limitations athletically. It shouldn’t be something too regarding however it’s price noting that in comparison with a few of his friends, Harper lacks in that division. Very like his teammate talked about above, Harper can develop right into a high 5 choose if he has a profitable season operating the Scarlet Knights offense.
Xavier Booker (Michigan State)
The Spartans are anticipated to be one of many higher groups within the Massive 10 and a few of that preseason stress comes due to large man Xavier Booker. Booker is a 6’11”, 240 pound sophomore who obtained restricted enjoying time throughout his freshman yr however nonetheless confirmed some promise all through the season. He strikes rather well for his measurement which helps create lob alternatives for himself and helps Michigan State’s protection on quick breaks. Booker additionally showcased a fast and good trying soar shot throughout the season that indicated being a stretch large isn’t out of the image. If Booker might enhance as a rebounder and get a little bit extra bodily throughout the course of this faculty basketball season, he has an actual likelihood to go within the first spherical.
Will Riley (Illinois)
The Illini had a formidable 2024 recruiting marketing campaign that featured three totally different 4 star athletes committing to their program together with a 3 star however none have been as large because the pickup of Will Riley. Riley ranked #12 in ESPN’s 2024 class rankings and this was primarily due to his offensive arsenal. On offense, he manages to seek out his shot it doesn’t matter what whether or not it’s a traditional, spot up three or unorthodox pull up mid vary that has the gang scratching their head. His sport may be very easy and each transfer he makes with the ball appears prefer it was deliberate beforehand which looks like one thing small however with athletes his age, it’s one of many greatest indicators of success on the subsequent stage. Riley isn’t a lockdown defender however being 6’8” and fast on his ft unlocks a possibility for him to enhance and be serviceable on the collegiate stage. For the time being, Riley tasks as a bubble first spherical choose, who can actually shoot it however might want to add power and a ground sport to listen to his title referred to as within the first spherical as a one and performed. Regulate Illinois bigman Carey Sales space in addition to a possible first spherical choose this season. i
Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)
We now have one other teammate pair on this prospects checklist as a result of Kasparas Jakucionis is one other Illini who has true NBA aspirations. Jakucionis is an 18 yr previous level guard who has numerous accolades enjoying for FC Barcelona which incorporates all-tournament honors on the Adidas Subsequent Era Match and profitable the MVP of the occasion’s qualifying rounds. He’s 6’6” with a decent deal with and nice really feel for the sport which is a standard trait amongst gamers who’ve participated in Eurobasket. Jakucionis doesn’t have high tier athleticism however with regards to ending on the rim, he might be among the finest in school basketball. His soar shot exhibits promise regardless that the effectivity from deep hasn’t been stellar however what actually stands out is his playmaking means. Jakucionis is superb at discovering teammates earlier than they even know they’re open and he makes use of his decisive dribbling to drive to the lane and kick out to shooters. Some websites have him going high 15 and it’s onerous to disagree if he brings his excessive basketball IQ to Illinois.
High 5 Projected Groups within the Massive 10
Purdue Boilermakers
We will’t ignore the elephant within the room with regards to Purdue and that’s the lack of two-time Nationwide Participant of the Yr Zach Edey. He’s among the finest school basketball gamers of all-time and changing somebody of that stature is rarely simple. Fortunately, the Boilermakers enter a yr within the Massive 10 the place the competitors isn’t fierce. Even with groups like USC and Oregon becoming a member of the convention, there isn’t a transparent minimize favourite within the enjoying discipline. This works in Purdue’s favor as a result of not solely have they got among the finest coaches in school basketball with Matt Painter, they’ve some key items returning to the squad. Braden Smith was superb final yr, taking pictures 43.1% from deep and capitalizing on each offensive possession that didn’t finish in a Edey post-up. Guys like Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn are additionally returning to Purdue which brings some stability to the beginning 5 and far wanted expertise. Despite the fact that they don’t have their star middle anymore, Daniel Jacobson is a 7’4” freshman who gained’t change Edey however can definitely be developed into an identical participant. Jacobson was nice with USA Basketball’s 18U workforce and confirmed promise that he could be impactful as early as this yr. It’s most likely not going to be one other season the place Purdue results in the NCAA Championship however a Massive 10 title and NCAA match run is unquestionably not out of the image.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers have essentially the most proficient roster within the Massive 10 and that’s primarily due to the switch portal. Within the offseason, Indiana picked up Myles Rice from Washington State who averaged 15 factors an evening final yr, Oumar Ballo from Arizona who’s thought of by many to be among the finest large males in school basketball and so they added Kanaan Carlyle from Stanford. Sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako didn’t have the breakout season he had hoped after switching his dedication from the Blue Devils final yr however there have been undoubtedly flashes of potential. If Mike Woodson can get this new roster to gel rapidly, they’re going to be a menace to plenty of groups.
UCLA Bruins
Excellence has been the Bruin customary for so long as this system has been established however final yr, they undoubtedly didn’t reside as much as that. UCLA completed 16-17, struggling losses to their Pac-12 counterparts on the common. Possibly a convention swap was precisely what they wanted as a result of this season, they’re anticipated to be a a lot harder workforce to beat. Mick Cronin continues to be among the finest coaches in school basketball and so they returned their backcourt of Dylan Andrews and Sebastian Mack. Very like Indiana, the Bruins additionally had some enjoyable within the switch portal with the addition of senior Kobe Johnson, William Kyle III, and Skyy Clark. The cherry on high was flipping the dedication of Trent Perry from being a Trojan to a Bruin. The four-star guard may have a while to develop however there’s an actual likelihood he might be a key piece off the bench for a Massive 10 title contender.
Michigan State
Tom Izzo is likely one of the solely coaches that might single-handedly have a workforce projected high 5 of their respective convention. To place it merely, this workforce was disappointing final yr. They began off the season as one of many highest ranked groups in all of faculty basketball solely to complete with a mediocre 20-15 document that included going 10-10 in convention play, They snuck into the NCAA Match and misplaced within the second spherical to UNC. Now with a Pac-12 merger, it’s onerous to say the place Michigan State might find yourself subsequent yr however I place confidence in Izzo’s gameplan. Growing the blokes they’ve was an enormous emphasis within the offseason for the Spartans and I count on to see this particularly with Xavier Booker. If Booker can determine it out with extra enjoying time in his sophomore season, he can simply be among the finest large males within the Massive 10. One other key piece will probably be Omaha switch Frankie Fidler who averaged 20 factors final season with only one.6 turnovers per sport. The roster isn’t within the biggest place ever however Izzo has been to 26 straight NCAA Tournaments so betting towards him doesn’t seem to be a wise transfer.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
This workforce is the definition of growth or bust and to place them over Illinois is unquestionably dangerous however the expertise is definitely there for them to complete as among the finest groups within the Massive 10. The apparent cause for this selection is the freshman tandem of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. Prior to now, folks have stated that groups want expertise to win in school basketball and for essentially the most half, that’s undoubtedly true however when you may hoop, you may hoop. Harper is likely one of the extra spectacular guard prospects in latest reminiscence with a capability to play at his personal tempo and create for others whereas Bailey is an athletic monster who would’ve ranked primary in another class however Cooper Flagg does exist. Rutgers additionally has Jeremiah Williams who will probably be a senior this yr and a key piece of the backcourt. They could have some hassle within the paint all through the season however this workforce might give anybody hassle.
Shock Staff within the Massive 10
Oregon Geese
When Massive 10 dialog is introduced up, most individuals assume straight to soccer when the Oregon Geese are talked about. That is perhaps a mistake by the half-way level of this upcoming season. The sophomore duo of Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans Jr. might develop into among the finest within the Massive 10 since they each have breakout potential in 2025. The Geese depth can also be underrated as a result of with the addition of TJ Bamba, their backcourt has a trio of Shelstad, Bamba and Keeshawn Barthelemy, a stable three-point menace and low turnover man. In addition they acquired Brandon Angel from Stanford who had a fantastic season final yr and helps their large man state of affairs beneath. This workforce has the potential to be among the finest within the Massive 10 and must be a match workforce come March.
