A-10 Basketball: 6 talented prospects from 2019 recruiting class

Terrence Hargrove (Saint Louis)

It’s tough to predict where Saint Louis will land in the standings this season. On one hand, Coach Ford lost two of the best players from last year’s championship team in Javon Bess and Tremaine Isabell, but on the other, he has an army of talented Freshmen and transfers ready to step in and take their places. I’m not saying that the Bil’s are ready to contend for a title again (though crazier things have happened in our beloved conference) – the top of the league will just be that much tougher as a whole than it was last season. I do, however, expect them to at least be an exciting and competitive team on a nightly basis and for some of their Freshmen to surpass expectations.

As a local product and 6’6” wing who can jump out of the gym, Terrence Hargrove is the name that stands out most when looking over this incoming class. His defense, athleticism, and intensity should mesh nicely with the identities of similarly hard-nosed players like Hasahn French and Jordan Goodwin. I wouldn’t go as far as calling him an electric scorer or playmaker, but his offensive game is strong enough to take some attention off of the aforementioned and Javonte Perkins, the highest-scoring JUCO player in the nation last season. He should definitely be good for some highlight reel, momentum-shifting dunks as well. It may take him a while to stand out, but I’m confident that he’ll be one of Travis Ford’s primary weapons by the time the team heads to Brooklyn.

Maceo Austin (Duquesne)

Just looking at Austin’s offer sheet, which includes the likes of Virginia and Xavier, it’s clear how big of a get he was for Duquesne and HC Keith Dambrot. With former star shooting-guard Eric Williams having transferred to Oregon this offseason, Austin should also have a chance to make his mark on the program sooner rather than later. It’s possible that rising Sophomore Lamar Norman will get the starting to begin the season at the SG position, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it’s Austin sharing the backcourt with Sincere Carry before too long.

Austin is long, quick, and, most importantly for a team that’s struggled recently in this regard, a reliable shooter from beyond the arc. Regardless of who Dambrot decides to start though, Austin will be a player to keep an eye on all season because of his tremendous offensive ceiling.

Count on Austin at least becoming a reliable part of the rotation this season, and don’t be shocked if he’s one of the Dukes’ top three or four most productive players by March. His potential and roster situation make him a Rookie of the Year candidate, and he could even be the difference between the Dukes being middle-of-the-pack and a legitimate contender.