West Virginia Basketball: Breaking down the vital 2018 recruiting class

West Virginia basketball seems to be entering a rebuilding year. However, this incoming 2018 recruiting class hopes to simply make it a reloading year.

West Virginia basketball has been incredibly successful over the last few years. In fact, the program has not only reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the past four seasons but as made it to the second weekend (Sweet 16 to be exact) on three of those occasions. Even though the Mountaineers have not been able to get over the hump and knock Kansas off of the Big 12 pedestal, it has still been an excellent run of years for the program. Now, though, for the first time in while, there are many questions facing the team heading into next season.

At the forefront of this is the loss of star guard Jevon Carter, who graduated after this past season. One of the best point guards in the country over at least the last two seasons, Carter was tremendous in a Mountaineers’ uniform. In addition to averaging 16.7 points and 6.6 assists per game as a senior offensively, Carter was the best defensive player in the country. His attitude of going 100% on each possession led to many transition buckets off of turnovers for West Virginia.

In fact, Carter was one of the most important members of the “Press Virginia” movement along with Daxter Miles Jr. With Carter and company now gone, the Mountaineers may have some trouble finding their identity again. While there are some returning players that make West Virginia a potential top-25 team in the country, wondering who will be the next stars in the backcourt is legitimate.

That is where this incoming 2018 recruiting class comes in. Consisting of four freshmen and two JUCO transfers, this group of newcomers will be tasks with leading the future for the Mountaineers. Let’s dive into each player and how they can help the program.