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NCAA Basketball: Look at 2019 recruiting classes for each state of Texas program

By Andrew Dieckhoff

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 18: Jahmius Ramsey #10 of Team Ramsey looks on during warm ups before the game against Team Stanley during the SLAM Summer Classic 2018 at Dyckman Park on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 18: Jahmius Ramsey #10 of Team Ramsey looks on during warm ups before the game against Team Stanley during the SLAM Summer Classic 2018 at Dyckman Park on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 29: (L to R) Matt Coleman III #2, Dylan Osetkowski #21 and Courtney Ramey #3 of the Texas Longhorns walk to the bench during the game with the Kansas Jayhawks at The Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 29: (L to R) Matt Coleman III #2, Dylan Osetkowski #21 and Courtney Ramey #3 of the Texas Longhorns walk to the bench during the game with the Kansas Jayhawks at The Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

The Longhorns bring in some four-star replacements for departed stars

Texas (#17) – The Longhorns had a bit of a disappointing season in 2018-19, narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament. However, they didn’t sulk too long and Shaka Smart’s team ended up taking home the trophy in the NIT. Texas did lose three of its top players in Kerwin Roach, Jaxson Hayes, and Dylan Osetkowski, but return a lot of great talent. That talent includes no fewer than seven former Top 100 recruits from the past few seasons.

To go along with those seven, Smart has added three more Top 100 players in this offseason. The highest-rated of the three is Will Baker, a 7’0”, 235-pound center and Austin native. There is an immediate and pressing need for Baker’s size in the Longhorns lineup, so don’t be surprised if the #34 overall recruit in the Class of 2019 is starting come November. According to Evan Daniels, Baker compares favorably with recent NBA champion Marc Gasol. Baker may not have the huge upside that Hayes did, but he is a solid player who should develop well over a few years in Austin.

After Baker, the Longhorns also snagged Kai Jones, another center who may have a shorter college career  than his classmate. Jones is 6’10” and 205 pounds, meaning he has a lot of room to add some strength to his frame. But the upside is certainly there. He’s got some range on his shot and is a talented offensive player at the rim, as well. The Longhorns could very well deploy Jones and Baker at the same time, as they did with Hayes and Osetkowski a year ago.

The other four-star recruit joining the fray is Donovan Williams, one of the ten best shooting guards in his class. At 6’5”, he brings length and athleticism to the position. His strengths seem to be more on the defensive end, where he shows good instincts and awareness. If he can develop his shooting under Smart, then Williams could easily flourish in the Longhorns offense. He may have a harder path to the starting lineup than Baker or Jones, but he could get a long look off the bench.

As it stands, Texas shouldn’t take too much of a step back from last year, even with the loss of top scorer Roach. They are bringing in some solid replacements for all three of the talents that they lost in the offseason. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were right in the thick of the bubble conversation again – and perhaps, on the right side of it this time around.

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