Matt Cross was one of the top performers on the EYBL circuit this summer. Which NCAA basketball programs are still recruiting him?
With the early signing period drawing closer, top 2020 prospects around the country are cutting their list of potential NCAA basketball landing spots, taking visits, and announcing their commitments. As of right now, Matt Cross is one of the hottest names in recruiting discussions as a result of his sensational play on the EYBL circuit. The 6-foot-7 power forward absolutely excelled while playing for BABC (MA) and experienced a meteoric rise up the recruiting rankings. After starting the summer ranked outside of the top-200 in the class, Cross is now ranked at No. 78 overall.
Over the course of the grassroots season, he showcased that he is a very versatile prospect. He is a fluid athlete for his size, can score both inside and out, exhibits excellent basketball IQ, and is a far better rebounder than he was previously given credit for. Across 18 games on the circuit, he posted averages of 23.3 points (.407/.288/.800), 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Although his efficiency marks were not great, this was a result of the heavy burden he had to carry for his team. Cross understands how to create for himself and should excel at the college level in a variety of different roles.
As one of the top-rated power forwards in the class, Cross has received plenty of attention over the past few months and six programs seem to be standing out as finalists (per Corey Evans): Butler, Florida, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Indiana, and Miami (FL). Cross has already taken visits to each of the schools and he has stated that a commitment will be coming in the next couple of weeks. While it seems as though a couple of teams have potentially emerged as top destinations, there does not seem to be a clear-cut favorite.
With that said, let’s take a deeper dive into each of those six schools and analyze what they might be able to pitch to Cross. As a top-100 player in the country, you can be sure that each program is prioritizing this recruiting battle.