NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top early commits from the 2021 class

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JANUARY 15: Detail view of a basketball goes through the basketball net during warmups before a game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bud Walton Arena on January 15, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 25: Coach Cronin of the Bruins gestures. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

Will McClendon – Bishop Gorman H.S. (NV)

SG | 6-foot-3 | 190 lbs | Committed to UCLA

No. 34 in Rivals150 | No. 47 in Top247

Although everyone has plenty of respect for Mick Cronin on the sidelines, many questioned whether or not he was going to be able to succeed at UCLA when hired last summer. These concerns seemed to be validated as the Bruins struggled to begin this past season before they went on a big run to put them in contention for a potential at-large bid that we will never know if they would have received or not.

In addition to success on the court, Coach Cronin landed a five-star point guard (and a four-star forward) in the 2020 class and has jump-started this group with a commitment from shooting guard Will McClendon. Although McClendon will likely never share the court with that aforementioned 2020 floor general, he is still a great addition for the future backcourt of the program.

A physical two-way guard with a great motor, McClendon appears to be the perfect fit to star in Coach Cronin’s scheme. He is already well-built for the shooting guard position and can be dynamic on the defensive end of the floor as a result. While his scoring can be a bit inconsistent, he thrives at the rim and can get there fairly often thanks to his strength and ball control.

He committed to UCLA in late January and is currently regarded as a Top 50 prospect.

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