Mid-major Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 recruiting classes

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 11: The Harvard Crimson huddles during the first half of the Men’s Ivy League Championship Tournament at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

2. Tommy Amaker does it again

If Mark Few of Gonzaga is the best recruiter in the mid-major world, then head coach Tommy Amaker of Harvard should be No. 2. He’s made a great case in the past few years, including the golden group that included Seth Towns and Bryce Aiken. With these two along with several others becoming seniors this upcoming season, the Crimson has been out looking for the next Ivy League stars.

They got a really nice group of freshmen coming in, a five-player set led by top-100 small forward
Chris Ledlum. Despite how deep the returning roster is for Harvard, the four-star wing has a great chance at getting immediate playing time for the conference heavyweight. The other four recruits are three-star players who will be the foundation of the team’s future.

Luka Sakota is a four-star prospect in some recruiting services and will take over for Aiken at the shooting guard position. Joining him on the perimeter is local product Idan Tretout. Then there are frontcourt pieces Ciaran Brayboy and Tommy O’Neil, who’ll provide needed depth down low once Chris Lewis and Robert Baker are gone.

Considering that Ivy League programs don’t even offer athletic scholarships, it’s always impressive for Harvard to land any player that power conference programs are also after. And in regards to the 2019 recruiting class altogether, the Crimson is the only other mid-major program besides Gonzaga ranked in the top-40 overall. And look out for Harvard to have a similar presence high up in the 2020 classes with a ton of roster spots set to be available.

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