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NCAA Basketball: 25 biggest team winners from 2021 recruiting classes

By Tristan Freeman

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Chet Holmgren #34 of Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks dribbles the ball against the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers during the first half of the game at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Chet Holmgren #34 of Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks dribbles the ball against the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers during the first half of the game at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Shaka Smart Virginia Commonwealth Rams (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Shaka Smart Virginia Commonwealth Rams (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

24. UConn Huskies (No. 14 overall class)

The Huskies have a very good three-man class, all ranked between 40-60 overall. Guards Rahsool Diggins and Jordan Hawkins are the future of the program, while 6’10 center Samson Johnson may already be a bigger threat than any of the current frontcourt players on the roster.

With the returning depth UConn has, it’s not likely this trio will have a giant impact as freshmen next season. However, the 2022-23 season will heavily feature this group, with Diggins and Hawkins having the potential to be the best backcourt in the Big East not too long from now.

23. South Carolina Gamecocks (No. 30 overall class)

The Gamecocks has a completed renovated backcourt, coming off of losing star guard AJ Lawson to the pros. Incoming transfers James Reese and Erik Stevenson are solid but not game-changers and that’s what the program needs to get back into NCAA Tournament contention.

The good news is that South Carolina won the commitment of top-100 shooting guard Devin Carter, son of former NBA player Anthony Carter, out of Brewster Academy. The 6’4 playmaker has the chance to be a double-digit contributor out of the gate and have a major impact. Add local three-star recruit Jacobi Wright and you have a nice foundational backcourt to work with for the future.

22. Marquette Golden Eagles (No. 18 overall class)

New head coach Shaka Smart greatly benefitted from the relationships built from when he was just at Texas. When he announced the move over to the Golden Eagles, former Longhorn commits David Joplin, Keeyan Itejere and Emarion Ellis followed him, creating an impressive top-20 overall class.

But arguably the most newcomer will be Stevie Mitchell, a top-100 point guard commit. With both DJ Carton and Koby McEwen now gone, there’s a real chance that the 6’2 freshman will be the lead ball-handler on opening day for Marquette. If he can be effective, this team can make some noise in the Big East.

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