NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Pros and cons of Anthony Black’s final options

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Pros: Consistent winning and great guard development

If there’s one thing Gonzaga and head coach Mark Few is really good at, it’s guard play. Jalen Suggs was a five-star recruit when he arrived on campus but became a top-5 NBA Draft pick when he was done. Other great recent examples include Joel Ayayi, Josh Perkins, Nigel Williams-Goss, as well of other development successes such as Rui Hachimura.

What also helps is that Andrew Nembhard is likely gone, leaving sophomore guard Nolan Hickman to take over at point. But Coach Few has used two-point guard lineups in the past to success, so Hickman and Black could work just fine. And although they left the NCAA Tournament earlier than expected, that was the 7th straight year that the Bulldogs had made the Sweet 16. If Black picks them, good chance it’ll be No. 8.

Cons: Where does he fit into the lineup?

This is potentially an issue at Arkansas as well but there are some real questions about where Black would be. Assuming both Hickman and Hunter Sallis come back, as well as starting wing Julian Strawther, then that would likely mean that Black comes off the bench as a 6th man. Would he be willing to do that in the WCC? Also, what if he ends up just being a wing and Hickman is the primary point guard?

The WCC itself isn’t a real deterrent, although would a five-star recruit come off the bench in a mid-major conference. Plus, the travel from Texas to Spokane could be for a family that would have to miss a lot of home games. If he’s looking to be a “one and done”, then Gonzaga could pose some issues there.