Team Rankings
Hoopniks.com first created team recruiting class rankings in 2010. See the below excepts and click the links for archived final recruiting class rankings.
Class of 2012
1. Kentucky Wildcats
With a fourth straight top ranked national recruiting class, the role continues for coach John Calipari. The eleventh hour grab of shot blocking center Nerlens Noel assured the Wildcats of the top class in the land, in our opinion, albeit by the slimmest of margins over UCLA. Both shooting guard Archie Goodwin and forward Alex Poythress are potential stars and top-25 talents. Center Willie Cauley has a long way to go, but you can’t overlook his height, length and athleticism. In Noel, Goodwin and Poythress the Wildcats have three possible impact players for next season, to replace the core group from last year’s title team, which entered the NBA draft.
2. UCLA Bruins
At times last year, it seemed like coach Ben Howland was on the chopping block in Westwood. He responded by exceeding expectations on the recruiting trail with a recruiting class that contains two top-10 players and two other top-75 incoming prospects. The dynamic duo of the No. 2 ranked prospect in the 2012 class, 6′-6″Shabazz Muhammad and the top passer in the country in Kyle Anderson are sure to get UCLA on track in a hurry. Add in center Tony Parker, he of an extended made-for-TV decision, and superb shooter Jordan Adams, and this is quite the group. Don’t think this class will bring a winning edge to UCLA? Check out the track records of the four signees, as Muhammad, Parker, and Anderson all played on state championship teams, while Adams’ squad won a mythical national title.
3. Arizona Wildcats
The late additions by Kentucky and UCLA unseated Arizona from the top spot in the land, but the Wildcats also have two players as transfers from four year colleges that are future key factors in the backcourt in Xavier’s Mark Lyons and TJ McConnell of Duquesne. In this class, coach Sean Miller and his assistants clearly addressed the frontcourt, adding a front line that is deep and highly talented. 7-footer Kaleb Tarczewski is a huge score over Kansas, while McDonald’s All American power forwards Brandon Ashley and Grant Jerrett will come ready to play. Bouncy combo guard Gabe York’s first role in Tucson is to add depth, but he could have a future. Throw in JC forward Matt Korcheck and the Wildcats have the depth to be strong in the trenches going forward.
4. Baylor Bears
An unlikely recruiting power has emerged at Baylor, where success on the recruiting trail has been quite prevalent over the last several years. With a super skilled 7-0 footer in Isaiah Austin and a take no prisoners power forward inRicardo Gathers signed on, Baylor has two potential stars locked down. Austin signed on early on, while Gathers was formerly headed to St. John’s before he reconsidered. With a talented point guard in LJ Rose setting the table for Austin and Gathers, Baylor should be able to get the ball in the hands of their newcomers. Two other frontliners will add depth, in-state prospects Chad Rykhoek and Taurean Waller-Prince.
5. Providence Friars
Make no mistake, this is a high-risk, high-reward group, and it is difficult to determine exactly where it should fall on this list. On one hand, point guard Kris Dunn and shooting guard Ricardo Ledo are arguably among the top two prospects at their respective positions in the country. Still, Dunn turns the ball over too much, and Ledo has had off the court issues over the years. If they can be harnessed, they could star, even as freshmen. The other two signees, guard Ian Baker and wing Joshua Fortune are expected to be role players, as Dunn’s athleticism and ball skills and Ledo’s scoring ability are the headliners here.
SEE ENTIRE TOP 25
Class of 2011
1. Kentucky Wildcats
| Name | Height | Position | School (State) | Type | Status |
| Marquis Teague | 6′-2″ | PG | Pike (IN) | HS | Signed |
| Anthony Davis | 6′-10″ | PF | Perspectives Charter (IL) | HS | Signed |
| Kyle Wiltjer | 6′-9″ | PF | Jesuit (OR) | HS | Signed |
| Michael Gilchrist | 6′-7″ | SF | St. Patrick (NJ) | HS | Signed |
2. St. John’s Red Storm
| Name | Height | Position | School (State) | Type | Status |
| Amir Garrett | 6′-6″ | SF | Findlay Prep (NV) | HS | Signed |
| Maurice Harkless | 6′-8″ | SF | South Kent (CT) | HS | Signed |
| D’Angelo Harrison | 6′-3″ | SG | Dulles (TX) | HS | Signed |
| Nurideen Lindsey | 6′-3″ | SG | Redlands CC (OK) | JC | Signed |
| God’s Gift Achiuwa | 6′-8″ | PF | Erie CC (NY) | JC | Signed |
| Norvel Pelle | 6′-10″ | C | Price (CA) | HS | Signed |
| Dom Pointer | 6′-6″ | SF | Quality Education Academy (NC) | HS | Signed |
| Jakarr Sampson | 6′-7″ | SF | Brewster Academy (NH) | HS | Signed |
| Phil Greene | 6′-2″ | PG | IMG Academy (FL) | HS | Signed |
3.Duke Blue Devils
| Name | Height | Position | School (State) | Type | Status |
| Austin Rivers | 6′-5″ | SG | Winter Park (FL) | HS | Signed |
| Quinn Cook | 6′-1″ | PG | Oak Hill Academy (VA) | HS | Signed |
| Michael Gbinije | 6′-6″ | SF | Benedictine (VA) | HS | Signed |
| Marshall Plumlee | 7′-0″ | C | Christ School (NC) | HS | Signed |
| Alex Murphy | 6′-9″ | SF | St. Mark’s (MA) | HS | Signed |
4. Arizona Wildcats
| Name | Height | Position | School (State) | Type | Status |
| Nick Johnson | 6′-3″ | SG | Findlay Prep (NV) | HS | Signed |
| Josiah Turner | 6′-3″ | PG | Sacramento (CA) | HS | Signed |
| Sidiki Johnson | 6′-8″ | PF | Oak Hill Academy (VA) | HS | Signed |
| Angelo Chol | 6′-8″ | PF | Hoover (CA) | HS | Signed |
5. Texas Longhorns
| Name | Height | Position | School (State) | Type | Status |
| Jonathan Holmes | 6′-8″ | PF | Antonian Prep (TX) | HS | Signed |
| Sheldon McClellan | 6′-5″ | SG | Bellaire (TX) | HS | Signed |
| Julien Lewis | 6′-3″ | SG | La Marque (TX) | HS | Signed |
| Myck Kabongo | 6′-2″ | PG | Findlay Prep (NV) | HS | Signed |
| Kevin Thomas | 6′-7″ | PF | Christian Faith Academy (NC) | HS | Signed |
| Sterling Gibbs | 6′-1″ | PG | Seton Hall Prep (NJ) | HS | Verbal |
SEE ENTIRE TOP 25
Class of 2010
1. Kentucky Wildcats
- Brandon Knight, 6’-3”, PG, Pine Crest (FL)
- Terrence Jones, 6’-9”, WF, Jefferson (OR)
- Enes Kanter, 6’-9”, PF/C, Stoneridge Prep (CA)
- Stacey Poole, 6’-5”, SG/WF, Providence School (FL)
- Doron Lamb, 6’-4”, SG, Oak Hill Academy (VA)
- Jarrod Polson, 6’-2”, PG, West Jessamine (KY)
- Eloy Vargas, 6’-10”, PF, Miami-Dade JC
2. Memphis Tigers
- Will Barton, 6’-6”, SG, Brewster Academy (NH)
- Joe Jackson, 6’-0”, PG, White Station (TN)
- Jelan Kendrick, 6’-5”, SG, Wheeler (GA)
- Tarik Black, 6’-8”, PF, Ridgeway (TN)
- Hippolyte Tsafack, 6’-8”, PF/C, The Miller School (VA)
- Chris Crawford, 6’-4”, SG, Sheffield (TN)
- Antonio Barton, 6’-2”, PG, Notre Dame Prep (MA)
- Charles Carmouche, 6’-2”, SG, New Orleans-Transfer
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
- Jared Sullinger, 6’-8”, PF, Northland (OH)
- Deshaun Thomas, 6’-6”, SF, Bishop Luers (IN)
- Lenzelle Smith, 6’-4”, SG, Zion-Benton (IL)
- Jordan Sibert, 6’-3”, SG, Princeton (OH)
- Aaron Craft, 6’-1”, PG, Liberty-Benton (OH)
- J.D. Weatherspoon, 6’-7”, SF, Northland (OH)
- Harrison Barnes, 6’-8”, SF, Ames (IA)
- Reggie Bullock, 6’-6”, SG, Kinston (NC)
- Kendall Marshall, 6’-3”, PG, Bishop O’Connell (VA)
5. Missouri Tigers
- Tony Mitchell, 6’-8”, PF, Pinkston (TX)
- Phil Pressey, 5’-10”, PG, Episcopal (TX)
- Kadeem Green, 6’-8”, PF, United Faith Christian (NC)
- Ricky Kreklow, 6’-5”, SG, Rock Bridge (MO)
- Ricardo Ratliffe, 6’-9”, PF/C, Central Florida CC
- Matt Pressey, 6’-2”, SG, Navarro JC
SEE ENTIRE TOP 25
