13. Texas Longhorns
Frontcourt players: Dylan Osetkowski, Jericho Sims, Royce Hamm, Gerald Liddell (No. 49 recruit), Kamaka Hepa (No. 58 recruit), Jaxson Hayes (No. 102 recruit), Cunningham (No. 212 recruit)
Even though Mo Bamba left the Longhorns to go in the top-10 in the NBA Draft, the team will be just fine without them in the frontcourt. That’s thanks to a returning forward along with a top-10 recruiting class.
Osetkowski was the team’s leading scorer last season at 13.4 ppg, including five 20+ point games. He was the most consistent offensive option on the team, all while playing 35 minutes a night. Joining him as a starter is likely to be Sims, Bamba’s backup who played well when he had to fill in for him when the future lottery pick was injured. Hamm didn’t play much at all but the former top-100 forward has potential to show if given the opportunity.
But there are other top-100 frontcourt players arriving to take his minutes as well, all with different abilities. Liddell is a 6’6 forward who plays bigger than his size while creating mismatches as a small forward. Hepa is a prototypical stretch forward who can spread the floor while Hayes tends to operate more in the paint. Cunningham’s shooting ability will also get him some minutes on a team who was the worst in the Big 12.
In terms of star power, Texas’ frontcourt lacks it compared to others on the list. But the amount of depth combined with potential gives them a leg up on the teams listed before them.