NCAA Basketball Recruiting: 2020 center Frank Anselem down to 4 teams
Finalist for Frank Anselem – San Diego State Aztecs
After an incredible season that included an undefeated 26-0 start, the Aztecs are having to replace All-American guard Malachi Flynn and All-Conference forward Yanni Wetzell. The hope is that grad transfer pickups Terell Gomez and Joshua Tomaic can fill those roles enough to remain the favorites to win the Mountain West.
The Aztecs could use Anselem add more depth but unlike the other options on the list, the team already has a capable starting center in Nathan Mensah. He was averaging 6.9 ppg and 6.8 rpg before missing most of conference play with health issues. The junior forward should be ready to go for next season but he likely won’t be playing more than 23-25 mpg in 2020-21. Mensah and Anselem playing together would be great defensively but not so much scoring-wise but at the moment, this is the best program for the recruit to consider.
Finalist for Frank Anselem – Syracuse Orange
The most “prestigious” program on the list, Syracuse has to feel good about their chances to land Anselem. Playing for Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim and in the ACC is a great recruiting pitch for a recruit and considering that he reclassified, it would make the most sense to join a top-tier program rather than a mid-major.
The starting frontcourt of Bourama Sidibe and Marek Dolezaj are rising seniors, so there’s a big need for another big man to join for the future. That would have Anselem come off the bench for limited minutes compared to possibly starting elsewhere as a freshman. But if he’s willing to play 10-15 mpg as a reserve in year 1, he’d be the key frontcourt player for years after and would be someone who can be effective defending in that zone.
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There aren’t many frontcourt players on the overall market that can have an impact on teams next season. Frank Anselem is one of the few and is set to make a decision very soon. Word out there is that the Orange are the favorites to land them but with a quality program in San Diego State and a pair of elite recruiters also in the mix, no one should be counted out.