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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 6 finalists for 2020 Frank Anselem

By Tristan Freeman

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 22: The Kentucky Wildcats mascot preforms with the cheerleading team during a timeout of the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on February 22, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 22: The Kentucky Wildcats mascot preforms with the cheerleading team during a timeout of the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on February 22, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – JANUARY 25: Mascot Big Red of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – JANUARY 25: Mascot Big Red of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Arkansas Razorbacks

After a season of having essentially no frontcourt players, Arkansas wants to have as much depth as possible for next season. They have 7’3 transfer Connor Vanover eligible, along with 6’9 big man Jaylin Williams, a top-75 incoming recruit. The Razorbacks have been looking for another frontcourt piece to go along with the multiple grad transfers from the perimeter.

The biggest concern with having Anselem coming aboard is that it could alienate Williams, who was a coveted recruit and a local product at that. But he has the capability of playing at the power forward position if need be, allowing them both to play on the court at the same time. Clearly, Coach Musselman wants to have as athletic a lineup on the court as possible but where that would put Vanover is a question.

Kentucky Wildcats

With Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery staying in the NBA Draft, and the No. 1 overall incoming recruiting class featuring no natural centers, Kentucky is in massive need of a center for next year’s roster. So even a four-star player like Anselem who wouldn’t normally be a starting player for the Wildcats as a freshman, the need for a center makes him a coveted asset.

But Anselem isn’t the only target Coach John Calipari is after right now. Moussa Cisse, a five-star center prospect, is considering reclassifying himself. The Wildcats are finalists for him as well. And then there’s Olivier Sarr, a quality starting center for Wake Forest who transferred after head coach Danny Manning was fired. Both players would start over Anselem but there are enough scholarships available for him to come in behind those two, who would only be around for one year anyway.

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