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

Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are another perennial title contender with quality guards on the roster, including 5th-year senior shooter Rasir Bolton and Chattanooga transfer and SoCon Player of the Year Malachi Smith. Both will be gone and likely will projected starting wing Julian Strawther to the pros. Unlike some of the other options on this list, there is a clear path towards playing time for Yates. He could start at the two-spot and in the WCC, could quickly become one of the best players in the conference.

Of course, not all players are interested in playing in the WCC and several other programs on this list also have title potential for the foreseeable future. And heading out all the way to the Northwest to Spokane, Washington may not be the most appealing thing in the world. But just solely concerning the strength of a program, Gonzaga has few flaws to speak of.

Houston Cougars

The Cougars have done a great job in its 2023 class so far, landing a pair of top-100 frontcourt players as well as four-star combo guard, Kordelius Jefferson. Assuming that star guard Marcus Sasser goes pro after this season, there’s some room available for Yates to come in and have an impact early on.

Houston is another appealing local option and starting a year from now, will be in the Big 12, which will be a big upgrade from the AAC. There are now no weaknesses in the ability of the program to land top-tier talent and Yates can play a big role in the program’s transition to the top hoops conference.