NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing Cade Cunningham’s top 10 teams
Memphis Tigers
With the No. 1 recruiting class for 2019, Penny Hardaway and Memphis want to keep that momentum for the next year. What better way than to land another five-star prospect in Cunningham, a guy who would fill a need on the roster? Even with Boogie Ellis and Damion Baugh coming aboard, there are no true point guards on the roster outside of rising sophomore Alex Lomax.
The PR and momentum with the Tigers will only last along as they win. If the team struggles compared to expectations next season, it could scare off players to join the team. And the AAC is different from the ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten when it comes to potential for exposure. If anything, Memphis should try to land Cunningham before November before the allure wears off. Hardaway should be taken very seriously for any top-tier player, which is why other coaches need to get the upperhand.
Odds – A true wildcard but have a serious shot
UNC Tar Heels
North Carolina loses their two top ball handlers in Coby White and Kenny Williams but brings in arguably the best class of 2019 point guard Cole Anthony. He along with four-star guard Anthony Harris and three-star point guard Jeremiah Francis will be the primary ball handlers for next year. But assuming Anthony is “one and done”, the door would be open for Cunningham to star for the 2020-21 season.
Due to the grad transfer shooting guards (Justin Pierce and Christian Keeling) leaving after next year, Harris could slide over to the two-guard spot if need be. A commitment by Cunningham would give the Tar Heels another prime ball handler to work with, joining big man Day’Ron Sharpe in the 2020 class. It’s not clear where they stand with him but I think they could sneak in as a finalist.