NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 8 teams for 4-star wing Jalen Shelley

Marquette Golden Eagles

The Eagles have a ton of returning talent, all entering their 4th years. Kam Jones, Tyler Kolek, and Stevie Mitchell could either come back for the 2024-25 or not, which would affect any path for early playing time. Plus, the team already has a pair of four-star commits in the 2024 class in Royce Parham and Damarius Owens. In the end, they may focus on adding another ball-handler or big man in the coming months.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State’s lone commit in the 2024 class right now is John Mobley Jr., a four-star ball-handler. They could get a win but there’s a logjam to consider. Even with Jamison Battle leaving after next season, the Buckeyes still has both Devin Royal and Scotty Middleton, a pair of top-60 incoming freshman. If one of them were to go pro, then Shelley could be a rotational piece when he arrives.

Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies are another intriguing local option for Shelley if he wants to stay close to home. They’re on the rise after nearly winning the SEC last season and should be a top-25 team for the upcoming campaign. Plus, both Tyrece Radford and Eli Lawrence only have one year left of eligibility.

The problem is that Texas A&M has already done work in the 2024 class. Among the first three commitments includes Rob Dockery and George Turkson, a pair of four-star small forwards. So it just doesn’t make sense to see the program adding another wing, even though Shelley is a good prospect to want to take.