NCAA Basketball: Predicting best player from top 2021 recruiting classes
By Ian Mumm
6. Creighton Bluejays
Recruiting Class: Arthur Kaluma, Ryan Nembhard, Mason Miller, Trey Alexander, and John Christofilis
The Bluejays couldn’t follow up their Big East title success last season, despite reaching the Sweet 16. Their ultra-experienced and dynamic backcourt was unable to carry the day, and now the program has entered a period of significant flux this offseason. Out are six of the team’s top-7 players from 2020 and in comes the top-5 recruiting class of Arthur Kaluma, Ryan Nembhard, Mason Miller, Trey Alexander, and John Christofilis.
The personnel swap has introduced a rather large amount of youth into the expected rotation for Coach Greg McDermott to work with. Luckily the entirety of Creighton’s recruiting class can hit the deep ball and perfectly fit the Bluejays style of play over the last several seasons. Adding to the confidence of this group’s ability to perform and develop quickly is that each brings a similar versatility as the group taking the floor in 2020.
The combined incoming experience and talents of Kaluma and Nembhard at the top of the class are already enough to excite the program’s outlook next season. Both have shown strong and consistent growth playing for national prep teams, and while Nembhard recently displayed high efficiency for both Montverde Academy and the Canadian U19 National Team the immediate productive edge goes to Kaluma.
The 6’8” forward has handled himself well under high usage situations and frequently receives trips to the foul line. He is a high-rate rebounder and a stingy defender to provide the Bluejays with a lot of productive versatility on the court. His physicality and size will allow him to naturally transition into Creighton’s offense and make an instant impact.
Prediction: Arthur Kaluma