TCU Basketball: Andre Rafus Jr. commits to Horned Frogs
By Doug Winkey
TCU basketball is still in full force on the recruiting trail despite Big 12 Tournament week looming.
Jamie Dixon is doing his thing with TCU basketball. He just filled the team’s final scholarship for next year with a verbal commitment from Andre Rafus Jr. Rafus chose TCU over many offers including UConn, Georgetown, Kansas, and Seton Hall. This gives the Horned Frogs a full 13 players going into an exciting 2017-2018 season.
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Rafus is listed at 6’9″, 200 pounds, but as a small forward. The three-star Baltimore native rates as the 38th best player at his position and the fifth best overall in Maryland. Rafus is described as a smooth lefty shooter who can do uncommon things for a wing his size. The Big 12 goes super young next season, so Rafus gives TCU that much more of a shot to compete.
Rafus’ commitment gives TCU the fifth best class in the Big 12. He will join JUCO prospect Andre Pierce, international snag Lat Mayen, and two true freshmen in R.J. Nembhard and Kevin Samuel. Those five newcomers will compete for playing time right away; four players are scheduled to graduate and much of the roster will still be juniors or sophomores. Rafus also gives Coach Dixon his first commit from Maryland. TCU looks ready to maintain their competitive momentum with how their recruiting has shaped up.
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Rafus is a big boost for a TCU recruiting class that was already in great shape. He has size and talent to play all over the floor. Rafus also expands Dixon’s recruiting footprint into the vital territory around Baltimore and D.C. We won’t know how well he can shoot and defend until next winter, but look for Rafus to figure in the rotation somewhere. Dixon might just have a young, dangerous NCAA Tournament team next season.