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Wake Forest Basketball: Analyzing Demon Deacons’ 2021 incoming recruiting class

By Cooper Watson

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25: A Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball before their game against the Duke Blue Devils at LJVM Coliseum Complex on February 25, 2020 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25: A Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball before their game against the Duke Blue Devils at LJVM Coliseum Complex on February 25, 2020 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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Steve Forbes and Wake Forest Basketball 2021 ACC Tournament in Greensboro (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Steve Forbes and Wake Forest Basketball 2021 ACC Tournament in Greensboro (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Steve Forbes’ first full offseason with Wake Forest Basketball has resulted in quite a bit of roster turnover, which is to be expected considering how little he inherited, as well as the NCAA’s new one-time transfer policy. Roster turnover is not always a bad thing, though. Forbes has quickly assembled a team that knows his style and is built to execute it.

Wake Forest brings in nine total recruits—five transfers and four freshmen. As will be the case for most teams in this new era, the transfers will be of more immediate relevance in terms of winning basketball games, although the incoming freshman class is ranked eighth in the ACC, per 247Sports—a respectable haul for the Deacs.

9. Lucas Taylor

Taylor excels in the pick-and-roll as a ball handler. He has the ability to step back for three, pull up from mid-range, or finish with a soft floater in the paint. His athleticism might not be off-the-charts, but his savvy scoring ability is evident.

Defensively, he will need to adjust, mostly physically. Having said that, his addition gives Head Coach Steve Forbes a sense of added depth that is invaluable for a program in the middle of a rebuild.

8. Matthew Marsh

Marsh is an exciting prospect given his versatility at 7’1”. He has maintained excellent foot speed and mobility for his size and has excellent touch around the basket as well as the skill to finish with both hands.

Forbes has been highly optimistic about Marsh’s potential as a defender. This is partially due to his size and length which make him a natural rim protector, but also due to his above-average foot speed, allowing him to effectively guard the pick-and-roll.

The semi-pro from England has extensive experience on British national teams as well as in international semi-pro leagues. For this reason, Marsh could have the most immediate impact potential of any of Wake’s incoming freshmen.

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