NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest recruiting battles to watch for 2024 class

Kokomo Wildkats center Flory Bidunga (40) rushes up the court on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Ben Davis Giants lead at the half against the Kokomo Wildkats, 28-17, during the IHSAA Class 4A state finals championship.High School Basketball Ini Hs Basketball Class 3a State Final Northwood Panthers At Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles /

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Bucks County Courier Times/Intelligencer boys basketball player of the year Jalil Bethea /

8. Jalil Bethea – No. 19 overall prospect

Recruiting battle: Alabama vs Kansas vs Miami vs Syracuse vs Villanova

Outside of top-3 prospect Tre Johnson, Bethea is the best available shooting guard in the 2024 class. He’s a 6’4 playmaker from Philadelphia, capable of scoring anywhere on the court but is especially elite from three-point range.

Bethea has already put out a list of five options and this is one of the few top players with on the outside, a wide-open recruitment. Right now, he’s set to visit all five within the next month as well. On paper, it would feel as if Villanova would have an edge since they’re the local option here.

Yet it’s fairly public how sour things turned between Coach Kyle Neptune and Cam Whitmore, a former five-star prospect that slid down the NBA Draft selections. Could that situation turn off a player who this highly ranked also wants to go pro early and may not trust him?

All five options here have a good history with either sending players to the NBA or consistent development among their past shooting guards. Alabama and Miami are teams to watch closely based on other decisions but again, everyone is still in this particular recruitment.

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