NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 7 options for 2022 G Joseph Hunter Jr.

USC Trojans

The Trojans backcourt last season was Ethan Anderson at point, joined by a bunch of transfers led by Tahj Eaddy. He’s gone, along with Noah Baumann. They did bring in Memphis transfer guard Boogie Ellis and also has former four-star shooting guard recruit Reese Dixon-Waters. This is a solid group but nothing that would prevent Hunter from being part of the rotation if he picks the Trojans.

Next to UCLA, USC is the biggest name of all California-based schools. They have a ton to offer Hunter on and off the court and if staying local and playing in the Pac-12 is of interest, the Trojans have a good shot at landing him. And barring one of the underclassmen breaking out, Hunter could very well start as a freshman in L.A.

Washington Huskies

After a miserable past season, the Huskies rebuilt their entire roster in the past few months. They landed transfer guards, Emmitt Matthews, Jr., Daejon Davis, and Terrell Brown Jr. All of them will be either seniors or “super seniors” in the backcourt, along with rising junior guard PJ Fuller. Most of them will be gone after next year, leaving plenty of playing time available for Hunter to come in and have a huge impact.

Washington is rebuilding and head coach Mike Hopkins may be on the hot seat if the program doesn’t improve, which would affect Hunter in a huge way. While potential playing time is a huge selling point here, it’s hard to see the top-50 prospect picking the Huskies.