NCAA Basketball: How Marvin Bagley's commitment affects recruiting rankings

NCAA Basketball: How Marvin Bagley’s commitment affects recruiting rankings

GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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GREENVILLE, SC – MARCH 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Duke basketball got a major boost with Marvin Bagley’s commitment. How does this affect the NCAA basketball team recruiting rankings?

Marvin Bagley III dramatically picked the Duke Blue Devils live on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Aug. 14. Bagley, the consensus #1 rated prospect in the Class of 2018, re-classified and will play this upcoming season for the Blue Devils. He chose Duke over UCLA and USC.

“Just the brotherhood there; that’s what Coach K preached on my visit,” Bagley said about why he picked the Blue Devils. “I had a good feeling there ever since they first offered me a scholarship. It’s a special place.”

The 6’11” power forward is highly skilled and possesses the elite athleticism that is so rare for a guy his size. He is also extremely versatile as he is adept at playing inside and on the perimeter. In addition, he has a great work ethic which is evident in the way he hits the boards hard and plays on the defensive end.

Bagley had an outstanding 2016-2017 basketball campaign and is projected to be a top lottery selection in the 2018 NBA draft. Bagley, whose father (Marvin Bagley Jr.) grew up in Durham, North Carolina, is slated to graduate from Los Angeles Sierra Canyon High School soon and then start classes at Duke on Aug. 28. The NCAA eligibility center will have to clear him before he starts any activities with the team.

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Bagley earned American Family Insurance ALL-USA first team honors after averaging 24.9 points along with 10 rebounds and two blocks per game while leading Sierra Canyon to a 27-3 record during the high school season. He then had a dominant session in the Nike EYBL, averaging 25.8 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 1.7 assists per game.

Bagley also played in the Drew Summer League against NBA players. He produced a double-double in the league’s all-star game, producing 18 points and 20 boards.

Bagley is Duke’s seventh 2017 recruit and what a collection of talent that coach Mike Krzyzewski has accumulated. But do the Blue Devils have the best recruiting class in 2017?

Let’s take a look at the top-10 recruiting classes in the country.

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