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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Ranking the 9 team options for 5-star Ernest Udeh Jr.

By Tristan Freeman

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Jalen Hill #24 and Cody Riley #2 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 75-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Jalen Hill #24 and Cody Riley #2 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 75-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Florida Gators NCAA Basketball Ernest Udeh John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Florida Gators NCAA Basketball Ernest Udeh John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Baylor Bears

The reigning national champions were able to win despite having their center position started by Flo Thamba, who played around 15 mpg last season. He and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua will get most of the minutes this time around but without the best backcourt in the country backing them up, they’ll need to land an impact center in the 2022 class to remain in national contention.

Udeh would fit well in Coach Scott Drew’s system and his ability to develop would work well with the raw center prospect. But until we know what fellow five-star big man Vince Iwuchukwu does, the Bears will have to stay at No. 3. But in terms of fit, they may be the top option out of the nine.

2. Florida Gators

Florida’s frontcourt for next season consists of starter Colin Castleton, along with multiple undersized forward options. Castleton is likely to go pro after next year, so the Gators will have to land a couple of bigs. They offer immediate playing time prospects for Udeh, along with being in the SEC and getting to play in a system that works well with defensive anchors at the five-spot.

Along with being a local school for the Orlando native, Udeh won’t have to worry about being overrecruited by future five-star prospects. So whether he’s only around for one season or 3-4, Florida will allow him to grown at his pace, playing in a very competitive conference.

1. UCLA Bruins

The Bruins roster is almost set for the next couple of seasons, as they have 100 talented wings and have a pair of top-30 guard commits in Amari Bailey and Dylan Andrews in the 2022 class. What they need now is a true center, as both Myles Johnson and Cody Riley could be gone after next season.

Udeh would be a perfect defensive anchor in head coach Mick Cronin’s system and wouldn’t be asked to do too much for UCLA. He’d also be playing for a legit Final Four contender for as long as he sticks around and the program prestige is a major selling point during these Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) times.

Top 25 frontcourts for 2021-22 season. dark. Next

With a potential early route of playing time and ability to develop, I think the Bruins would be the ideal fit for Ernest Udeh Jr.

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