NCAA Basketball Recruiting: McDonald’s All-American Game takeaways

How are the top 2019 classes shaping up?

The majority of the top players in the 2019 class partook in the McDonald’s All-American Game but they are far from the only difference-makers joining college hoops next season. So, as a quick overview of what is coming next for the sport, here are the current top-10 recruiting classes for 2019 (per 247Sports):

1. Arizona Wildcats: Headlined by two McDonald’s All-Americans, Arizona owns the best recruiting class in the country. The class features five total commits, four of which are ranked in the top-55. Nico Mannion and Josh Green combined for 16 points (7-for-17 FG), 4 assists, and 2 steals in the McDAAG.

2. Kentucky Wildcats: This shouldn’t come as a shock. Kentucky is always near the top of the recruiting rankings and this season is no different. Coach Cal has already received commitments from four players, two of whom participated in the McDAAG (Kahlil Whitney – 2 points, Tyrese Maxey – 13 points). Keion Brooks is another top-25 player in the class as well.

3. Villanova Wildcats: Head coach Jay Wright is quietly becoming one of the best recruiters in the country. He has always been a successful coach with developing talent but two national titles are paying dividends. Villanova has already landed four top-75 commits for this class, including two that played in the McDAAG. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (13p/4r) and Bryan Antoine (2p/2a) represented the future at the event.

4. USC Trojans: USC is one of the top recruiting programs out west and they are proving that once again in this class. Coach Enfield has landed six players already, including three in the top-55. Isaiah Mobley was the only commit to participate in the McDAAG and he recorded five points, four assists, and three rebounds.

5. Gonzaga Bulldogs: Watch out. You might not have seen any of Gonzaga’s 2019 commits in the McDAAG but this is one of the scariest classes out there. Head coach Mark Few has made the Bulldogs a national powerhouse with underrated recruits and now he has a class full of studs coming around. No one seems like a one-and-done candidate and this group of newcomers will likely spend lots of weeks at No. 1 in the AP poll.

6. Florida Gators: After landing a top-20 class in the country last season, the Florida head coach is “White-hot” on the recruiting trail once again. He has already landed four commits for the class – three in the top-50. Two future Gators competed in the McDAAG as well in the form of Tre Mann (5p/3r/2s) and Scottie Lewis (10p/2r/2a/4s). These two will make up an elite backcourt.

7. Georgia Bulldogs: Head coach Tom Crean has not taken long to assert his abilities on the recruiting trail for Georgia. He already has a top-10 class in the country that features four players ranked in the top-100. Above all others, though, Anthony Edwards is the headlining player. Ranked at No. 2 in the class, Edwards is superb and posted 12p/2r/3a in the McDAAG.

8. Louisville Cardinals: Chris Mack’s squad did not snag a McDAAG but they have landed six commits already – five in the top-100. He currently owns the top class for the ACC and that is something that should not go underrated. This class represents the future of the Cardinals and they should be very dangerous in the future.

9. Memphis Tigers: Memphis’ recruiting dipped a bit after the departure of Coach Cal but they are back on the rise thanks to legendary guard Penny Hardaway now roaming the sidelines. His presence has head coach has already helped to land four top-150 recruits, including the top prospect in the nation. James Wiseman dropped in 13p/6r/2a for Team West in the McDAAG.

10. Duke Blue Devils: Is anyone surprised that Duke is ranked in the top-10? They certainly shouldn’t be. Even though the class is not yet complete, it still features three players in the top-35. Only one of them competed in the McDAAG but he was excellent – Wendell Moore recorded 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting.

That concludes this wrap-up of the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game. All of these top talents will soon take the court as leaders in the college basketball world and they will certainly bring excitement to your television screen. It’s time to take note.