NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Ranking 7 contenders for top-100 forward Malik Reneau
One of this month’s top rising prospects has been Malik Reneau, a consensus four-star forward in the 2022 NCAA Basketball recruiting class. The 6’8 frontcourt recruit has been getting a number of offers in the month of July after impressive play this Summer.
Unlike many top-100 prospects that have a reputation for being a prolific offensive talent, Reneau is solid more so than elite. But while he won’t average 30 and 15 at the high school level, he’s one of the better all-around frontcourt talents in the entire class. A very good rebounder and defender, the 6’8 forward is a true “winning” player, capable and willing to do all the little things to help his team.
And if Reneau can continue improving his overall offensive game, don’t be surprised if he ends up in the top-50 overall by next Summer. Currently at Montverde Academy, look for the high school senior to have a sizable role and plenty of opportunities to rise up even further up the boards.
2022 four-star Malik Reneau is down to seven schools, he tells @On3Recruits.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 1, 2021
In no order: Florida, Memphis, Florida State, Miami, Seton Hall, Arkansas, & Indiana. pic.twitter.com/Ana3PjcfvN
The top-100 prospect recently came out with a list of contenders, including some big names. But which of them is the best landing spot for Reneau? Here’s my opinion on how I would rank each of them in terms of potential playing time, winning culture, and overall program stability.
7. Memphis Tigers
The Tigers could potentially be getting a top-5 overall prospect in Jalen Duren, who is set to decide soon. He’s picking between Memphis, Miami, and Kentucky. It won’t impact Reneau since he’s a one-and-done but there is a logjam at the forward position already, even without adding anyone in the 2022 class. There’s also recent news that Emoni Bates, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2022 class, could reclassify to join Duren for next season. And he has to play two years due to NBA Draft age eligibility rules.
It won’t have a giant effect on other 2022 recruits but Memphis already has multiple combo forward freshmen that should get minutes in the future. Joshua Minott, John Camden, and brothers Johnathan and Chandler Lawson all can play the four. For a guy like Reneau that is more of a glue guy, it’s hard to envision him getting minutes in the first couple of years.