NCAA Basketball: A look at top-100 SG Judah Mintz top potential options

A top-100 class of 2022 prospect is nearing an official decision, as Judah Mintz recently announced that he’ll be choosing a team on Friday, June 18. At 6’4 and 175 pounds, Mintz is one of the better two-way prospects in the class, with a good mid-range shot while displaying strong defensive capabilities.

Mintz has been one of the bigger names on the recruiting trail in recent weeks, landing several offers among power conference programs. He’s also gone on several official visits since the start of June and with Friday being decision day, it would make sense that those three programs would be among his top options.

All three programs could use a nice start to their respective 2022 recruiting classes but who’ll land Mintz’s signature? Here’s a look at how he’d fit with each potential roster.

Georgetown Hoyas

As a Washington, D.C. native, the Hoyas represent the hometown option for Mintz. They also have a head coach in Patrick Ewing that would fit the personality of the prospect in terms of toughness and aggressive defense. Georgetown also currently has a five-star incoming freshman in Aminu Mohammed, along with guards Jordan Riley and Tyler Beard.

The issue here is that the Hoyas are already one of the youngest teams in the country and if Mohammed doesn’t leave early, that’ll be a fairly crowded backcourt already when he gets there and they’d all be either juniors or sophomores. If immediate playing time is something to consider, the Hoyas may not be able to offer that.

Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions do have plenty of room to offer in terms of playing time after a complete roster overhaul. Senior guards Jalen Pickett and Jaheam Cornwall are entering their final seasons, while guards Myles Dread and Sam Sessions will be seniors next year and will have the option of leaving as well. Former three-star prospect Dallion Johnson is the only underclassman perimeter player on the roster currently.

It’ll be interesting to see what style new head coach Micah Shrewsberry will have at Penn State. He comes over from Purdue, where the guards were known for being sound defensively. So this would also be a good fit Mintz if he chooses to go there. But will he be willing to join a rebuilding job that’s starting from the very bottom?

Pittsburgh Panthers

After losing star guard Xavier Johnson to the transfer portal, Pittsburgh brought in Texas Tech transfer Jamarius Burton, a player that is similar to Mintz in both size and skillset. Burton and Sibande likely will be around for one more year, leaving just point guard Femi Odukale and sharpshooter Ithiel Horton.

Mintz would fill that need of a defensive two-guard capable of scoring and based on who else joins the 2022 class, could be part of the rotation from Day 1. He’d also be able to play in the ACC and raise his stock. The Panthers are rebuilding a bit again after losing so much production but head coach Jeff Capel is proven at the power conference level and can develop the top-100 prospect into an all-conference performer.