Big East Basketball: Top early 2019 recruiting starts in the conference

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 18: Head coach Jordan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Butler Bulldogs

National Ranking: No. 18

Butler might not be a recruiting powerhouse but it seems as though their consistent winning ways are starting to yield more recruiting wins. When he was at the helm of the program, Chris Holtmann started to push Butler up the yearly recruiting rankings. Now, current head coach LaVall Jordan is showing his prowess on the recruiting trail, garnering two early recruits for the 2019 class in Khalif Battle and John-Michael Mulloy.

Khalif Battle, one of the top recruits to ever commit to play for the Bulldogs, is an electric guard who projects as a potential offensive star at the college level. Although still a developing playmaker, Battle has already shown the ability to rise up for emphatic slams or step out and knock down 3-pointers with consistency. Even though he still has a year left before joining Butler, Battle looks like someone who can be an immediate contributor from day one. He is ranked as the No. 100 recruit in the country.

While playing for Playaz Club on the EYBL circuit (17 GP), the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 13.4 points (.430/.407/.878), 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. With Paul Jorgensen graduating after this season (2017-18), it seems as though there is a logical role for Battle to fill once he gets on campus.

In addition, big man John-Michael Mulloy was an early in-state commit for Coach Jordan. A 6-foot-9 center out of Carmel (IN), Mulloy is not the highest-rated player in the country but he has been able to hold his own in several situations. He still has plenty of room for growth but will likely need to provide immediate minutes in the Butler frontcourt once he joins the team alongside Bryce Nze and Joey Brunk when Nate Fowler graduates.

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