Big 12 Basketball: Analyzing each program’s 2019 recruiting class

TCU has not been the most successful team in the country over the past several years but head coach Jamie Dixon seems to have the program trending in the right direction. In addition to leading the Horned Frogs to their first NCAA Tournament appearance of the 21st century in 2017-18, he has also been quite solid on the recruiting front. Looking ahead to this coming campaign, TCU is expected to finish near the bottom of the Big 12 but they do have some exciting newcomers joining the roster.

TCU’s 2019 recruiting class is ranked at No. 29 in the country and it is reasonable to assume that many of their additions will play major roles right away. The crown jewel of this group is P.J. Fuller, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard ranked as the No. 76 overall player in the class. He is a strong scorer at all three levels and could instantly become one of the top offensive options for the Horned Frogs this season. He will either start or be one of the primary reserves for the team.

The same can also be said about 6-foot-2 guard Francisco Farabello. TCU lacks playmaking this year with Alex Robinson graduating and Farabello might be able to fill this void a bit. Although not expected to crack the starting lineup, the No. 142 overall recruit in the class should see his fair share of playing time. He will arguably be the best creator on the roster but needs to add a bit more strength before excelling at the Big 12 level.

Desmond Bane will be the star player for TCU this season while starting on the wing but highly-touted recruit Diante Smith could slide alongside him in the lineup. Smith is ranked as the No. 154 overall prospect in this class and should see a significant role from the jump. He can be a solid small-ball four and the Horned Frogs will need him to be a physical forward.

Taryn Todd (No. 236) and Mickey Pearson (No. 403) round out this class as options on the wing but they will have a tough time finding minutes as freshmen.