NCAA Basketball: Analyzing top 9 teams in play for top-40 guard Wesley Yates

Wesley Yates is a consensus top-50 prospect in the 2023 NCAA Basketball recruiting. The 6’4 and 200-pound shooting guard out of Beaumont, Texas is one of the top pure scorers in the class and has the size and length to be imposing on the defensive end as well.

Yates’ all-around offensive game makes him an intriguing prospect in the class and he currently has a list of nine contenders for his services. Now, it looks like a decision is coming soon, with the four-star prospect reportedly set to announce his decision on October 5th, which is fewer than 10 days away.

Which of these nine NCAA Basketball programs has the most to offer Yates in terms of role and potential of winning? Here’s a closer look at the possible fit between the player and the programs involved.

Arkansas Razorbacks

The Razorbacks have the No. 2 incoming recruiting class, filled entirely with perimeter players. Three of them are five-star prospects and likely “one and done” draft picks in Nick Smith, Anthony Black, and Jordan Walsh. There are a trio of other freshmen ranked in the top 100, as well as Wichita State transfer Ricky Council IV.

Arkansas has become a national power and already has a top-30 point guard commit in the class in Layden Blocker. Head coach Eric Mussleman loves adding transfers each offseason so there is a concern about what the minutes would look like for Yates. Still, it’s a top-25 program with a friendly offensive system so it’s a risk worth taking.