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NCAA Basketball: Which teams are off to hot starts in 2019 recruiting?

By Lukas Harkins

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 19: The Ohio State Buckeyes mascot performs as the Ohio State Buckeyes play the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 19: The Ohio State Buckeyes mascot performs as the Ohio State Buckeyes play the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 21: Brutus, the mascot for the Ohio State Buckeyes performs. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 21: Brutus, the mascot for the Ohio State Buckeyes performs. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

Commits – 2: Carton (21), Gaffney (29)

Current Rank: No. 6 overall class

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann is a rising star in the coaching ranks. In just a few years, Holtmann has transitioned from the top job at Old Dominion, to Butler, and now to Ohio State. While with the Buckeyes, Coach Holtmann has been on fire in regards to just about everything. Despite Ohio State being projected to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten in Holtmann’s first season at the helm, the team vastly exceeded expectations this past season to the tune of a second-place finish in the conference and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

In addition, Holtmann and his staff have been extremely active on the recruiting trail as well. With two top-30 recruits already committed in the 2019 class, it is fair to say that Ohio State is returning to form as one of the best college basketball programs in the country. It might still take a few years to get to that elite level but Holtmann seems to be well on his way.

The deadly combination of talented wing Alonzo Gaffney and top point guard DJ Carton will surely make for a dynamic duo once they get on campus next season. Both players project as immediate contributors for the Buckeyes and potential stars. In addition, they should fill positional needs considering the losses OSU is expected to suffer after the 2018-19 season.

2018 AAU Circuit Stats

DJ Carton (8 GP, NY2LA) – 15.9 ppg (.617/.189/.653), 4.8 rpg, and 3.5 apg

Alonzo Gaffney (22 GP, EYBL) – 12.6 ppg (.393/.383/.774), 5.2 rpg, and 1.9 apg

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