NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 2020 F Elijah Taylor’s final six teams
Seton Hall Pirates
Kevin Willard and the Pirates are already off to a great start with their 2020 recruiting class, adding three-star guards Dimingus Stevens and Jahari Long. Combine that with transfer
Takal Molson coming on board, and the program is set to start a new era after the departure of Myles Powell.
Seton Hall actually is in pretty good shape in the frontcourt barring unforeseen departures. Forwards Sandro Mamukelashvili and Taurean Thompson will only be juniors next season, while Florida State transfer Ike Obiagu will be able to play next year also. The team also has three-star forward Tyrese Samuel, an impressive Canadian incoming freshman. Of all the options, Taylor would actually have the most difficult time finding early playing time with the Pirates. But once those upperclassmen go after the first year, he’d have a much clear role for the team.
VCU Rams
While Taylor would have to settle for the power forward position among the power conference options, VCU (and the smaller Atlantic 10 Conference) would offer him a chance at playing the center spot as well. That could be better suited for a player with his skillset down low. The Rams didn’t have a player over 6’8 who played double-digit minutes. He would be a nice addition to the 2020 class with fellow top-200 point guard Adrian Baldwin.
There’s a need for the Rams to add more frontcourt talent as well, with just Marcus Santos-Silva slated to be around for the 2020-21 season (he’ll be a senior). Even with a relatively new head coach in Mike Rhoades, the system with tough, physical athletes still prevails with this program. Taylor would be an excellent fit and could wind up an All-Atlantic 10 talent down the road.
Although he’s not a top-100 talent, Taylor’s effort and intensity may just be too much to keep off the court as a freshman. I expect him to make an impact out the gate and become an effective four-year NCAA Basketball player. The question is, which program will he ultimately choose?