Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Breaking down the 5 highest-rated 2018 commitments

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins reacts. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins reacts. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

C Jalen Smith, Maryland

Mark Turgeon just knows how to pull in top recruits. We already talked about Wiggins but he is not even the top recruit in the class for Maryland. That title goes to Jalen Smith, the No. 14-ranked player in the nation. He is listed as the second-best center in the class and poses a major threat in the paint. Smith was a steady riser up the recruiting rankings over the past year and settles in as the second-highest rated recruit coming into the Big Ten.

With a 6’10”, 195-pound frame with a solid wingspan, Smith is already appearing on 2019 NBA Draft Big Boards. According to 247Sports, Smith was extremely impressive at the Jordan Brand Classic in early April. Considering he also played well at the McDonald’s All-America Game, it is clear that he can ball with the best of them at the next level.

Should he return to school, Bruno Fernando is going to be one of the lead big men for the Terps next season but Smith will slide right in next to him. These two high-energy bigs could make up the most physically imposing frontcourt in the Big Ten. This is not something to scoff at, either, as the Big Ten is one of the most physical leagues in the country.

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