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NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the key 6 teams for 5-star forward Jarin Stevenson

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 04: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a dunk against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 04, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 04: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a dunk against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 04, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball Missouri Tigers guard Kobe Brown Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri Tigers

2023 class option

This is a very interesting situation that ties in with Alabama if Stevenson reclassifies. There’s a rumor that star forward and leading scorer Kobe Brown could either stay in the NBA Draft or actually enter the transfer portal as a graduate (grad transfers aren’t included in the earlier portal deadline). And if that happens, the Crimson Tide, which is near his home, would be the favorite.

Either way, there’s a real chance that Missouri will need a frontcourt replacement for him. And forward Noah Carter is capable of playing at the five-spot, allowing Stevenson to just slide in at the four and likely start as a freshman.

2024 class option

One player I haven’t talked about yet is Jordan Butler, a four-star incoming forward. Depending on what happens with Stevenson and Brown, he could be the biggest beneficiary. The Tigers had an outstanding debut season with head coach Dennis Gates and his offensive system and Brown’s success could be very appealing to this prospect in particular.

We’ll see how long it’ll last or if Missouri’s success had a little bit of a “fluke” in it. There certainly will be playing time potential for Stevenson in either class but if they can land both he and five-star ’24 center John Bol, it would be a mega class for the SEC program.