There are a number of NCAA Basketball prospects that are reportedly taking respective visits this weekend. One of them is Annor Boateng, one of the top recruits from down South in the entire 2024 class. He’s a 6’5 true wing from Little Rock, Arkansas, and is a consensus top-40 prospect.
In fact, 247sportsComposite currently has Boateng listed as a five-star prospect overall, ranked inside the top 30. He’s set to visit the LSU Tigers this weekend, one of the eight programs he listed as an option earlier this offseason.
But is LSU the best potential landing sport based on the rosters in play? Here’s a closer look at how Boateng would fit with each of them.
Arkansas Razorbacks
As the “local” team on the list, expect Arkansas to be in this recruitment until the very end. Small forwards have done very well under Coach Eric Musselman, including former five-star prospect and eventual NBA Draft pick, Jordan Walsh. The team did land top-100 small forward commit Jalen Shelley but they can afford to take another wing since the ones on the current roster are set to leave after next season.
Auburn Tigers
With Allen Flanigan having transferred out, the small forward position at Auburn isn’t clear. JUCO transfer Chad Baken-Mazara could get minutes there, as well as Denver transfer Denver Jones in a three-guard lineup. Either way, the Tigers could use a true wing that’s a scoring threat like Boateng that can come in and contribute immediately in what should be a new-look roster the following season.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
After landing top-50 combo guard Jaeden Mustaf this week, Coach Damon Stoudamire could become a force on the recruiting trail. A lot of the perimeter players on the current GT roster are upperclassmen, including starting wing Dallan Coleman. Boateng may have to come off the bench in year one here but he’d definitely have an eventual path to being a focal point on the roster.
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana will be rolling with five-star freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako as the starting wing but that’s likely going to be a one-year experiment. The concern if you’re Boateng is that the Hoosiers are after other wings in the 2024 class, including five-star prospect, Liam McNeeley. If they land him, it might not be an appealing option for Boateng.
LSU Tigers
The Tigers have a couple of capable wings on the roster in Tyrell Ward and Derek Fountain but if neither breaks out, there’s a clear opportunity for someone like Boateng to come in and even start since Vandy transfer Jordan Wright will be gone. LSU is also after the likes of Tyler Betsey and Bryson Tucker in the 2024 class but if they make a push, they could be a contender here.
Missouri Tigers
Coach Dennis Gates has turned Missouri into a recruiting threat down South in just a year, already having a trio of four-star commits in the 2024 class. One area of weakness is at wing, with D’Moi Hodge now gone. The team likely is going to use various three-guard lineups to make up for it this year but there’s a wide-open path for Boateng to take the small forward spot in 2024-25 if he wants it.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes have a trio of talented combo forwards on the roster in their first year with the program. Grad transfer Jamison Battle will be around for just one season, while top-60 freshmen Devin Royal and Scotty Middleton could be potential “one and dones”. There’s a good history of development from Coach Chris Holtmann when it comes to prospects so if there’s a path to playing time, Boateng will likely consider the Buckeyes.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Darius Maddox was the starting small forward for the Hokies but he decided to transfer out this offseason. And Old Dominion transfer Mekhi Long, who is likely to start in his place, has just one year left of eligibility. The team did land three-star commit Tyler Johnson but on paper, Boateng would win out the battle for minutes next year.
Virginia Tech has become one of the better offensive units in NCAA Basketball under Coach Mike Young. And with possibly Sean Pedulla and Hunter Cattoor both leaving, the Hokies will have to use a new core of players to reload in the ACC. Boateng would have the chance of being the focal point with this option sooner than later.