Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Ranking the finalists for 5-star class of 2023 big Xavier Booker

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 13, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball Walker Kessler Auburn Tigers (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Auburn Tigers

The Tigers’ frontcourt for next season mainly consists, of Morehead State transfer Johni Broome and five-star freshman Yohan Traore. In order for this option to make sense for Booker, at least one of them would have to be gone after next season. But if he’s best to play at the center position in the SEC, it’ll have to be Broome that departs.

The ability to play in the SEC and for a head coach in Bruce Pearl that is known for his development of numerous players are very appealing traits for Booker. The main issue here is that there isn’t a clear pathway for him to start for Auburn unless key players depart. So a decision coming later than sooner would probably fit best for them.

Cincinnati Bearcats

The Bearcats don’t have much in the frontcourt right now and that will need to change in a hurry, with a move to the Big 12 coming a year from now. Booker would have the opportunity to be a focal point on the offense and inside overall with this team compared to some of the others on the list.

The concern here is that Cincinnati could have some struggles, going from the AAC to the Big 12. And while Wes Miller is respected as a head coach, he doesn’t have the resume of some of the future Hall of Famers on the list in comparison, nor has he sent players to the NBA. There are some risks that the Bearcats have that Booker may want to avoid as they undertake a completely new situation that’ll take time to re-adjust.

Home/NCAA Basketball News