NCAA Basketball: Which 2018 recruiting classes could be most influential?

LSU Tigers

Class ranking: No. 4 nationally

Hello, Will Wade. The former VCU head coach has been dominating the recruiting scene since taking over the top job in Baton Rouge. Behind the recruiting efforts of Wade and his staff, LSU has garnered a recruiting class full of “diaper dandies.” With two five-star recruits and two four-star recruits, all of who are ranked in the 247Sports Composite top-60, the 2018 recruiting class for the Tigers ranks No. 4 in the nation.

The top recruit in the class is Nazreon Reid (No. 16). The top recruit out of New Jersey, the 6’9″ forward has a college-ready body. He has a bigger threat from 3-point range than most would expect and he is extremely strong in attacking the basket and gathering rebounds. Reid brings a unique blend of strength and skill that will be welcomed in the LSU frontcourt.

Another forward, Emmitt Williams (No. 23) is one of the longest players in the class with a wingspan of nearly seven feet. Williams is a solid scorer but his best asset is on the glass. He cleans up rebounds on both ends of the floor thanks to his high-energy play and outstanding wingspan. The last frontcourt commitment in this class is Darius Days (No. 57), a 6’7″ forward with a deadly 3-point shot. This ability to be a sharpshooter on the wing should complement the skills of Reid and Williams well.

Lastly, combo guard Ja’Vonte Smart (No. 32) will help fill out the backcourt alongside Tremont Waters, who will be a sophomore next season. Smart is an all-around guard in that he can shoot from deep, create for others, and manage an offense when necessary. This means that there could be a serious two-headed monster in the Tigers’ backcourt in 2018-19.

As for why this class could be influential, let’s talk about its potential impact on the SEC. For the last several years, Florida and Kentucky have been the dominating forces in the conference both on the court and on the recruiting trail. This year, though, LSU is neck-and-neck with Kentucky atop the recruiting rankings while Florida lags slightly behind at No. 17 nationally.

While it is never easy to count on freshmen to immediately change the perception of a program, this class could turn the SEC on its head for at least one year. If that happens, who is to say that Wade’s recruiting success will not continue into the future?