SEC has consistently been a top conference for high school recruiting, and it got a boost a couple of years ago when Texas Basketball joined due to conference realignment. They’ve been a program that has consistently landed five-star talent out of high school, regardless of head coach.Â
In fact, the Longhorns added to their recent rich history of five-star talents, getting Marcus Spears Jr. to reclassify to play for them next season. Since 2010, Texas has had 11 players listed as five-star prospects (per 247Sports Composite) join the program. Which has had the biggest overall impact? Here’s a power ranking for the Longhorns.Â
11. Arterio Morris (2022)
Stats at Texas): 4.6 ppg and 1.4 apg
A multitude of legal issues followed Morris before and after his time at Texas, leading him to the JUCO route, then to Bethune-Cookman, and now to Tennessee State this upcoming season. Morris had just six double-digit scoring games in his lone year with the Longhorns, including a 25-point game against Louisiana in the non-conference.
10. Greg Brown (2020-21)
Stats: 9.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg
In 26 games played, Brown shot 42% from the field and 33% from deep as a talented 6’9 stretch forward. Brown was inconsistent throughout but did have some notable games, including 24 points and 14 rebounds against Oklahoma State. He ultimately entered the draft after one year and was selected in the second round, No. 39 overall.
9. Jarrett Allen (2016-17)
Stats: 13.4 ppg and 8.4 rpg
Allen led the Big 12 with 57% FG shooting, being one of the top rim-running bigs in the country during his lone season. The 6’11 center had 12 double-doubles, including 22 points and 19 rebounds in the famous road win over Kansas. Unfortunately, Allen and Texas finished 11-22 that year, missing postseason play.
8. Myck Kabongo (2011-13)
Stats: 10.8 ppg and 5.3 apg
Kabongo started all 34 games and was Big 12 All-Freshman and had a strong start to his second year, averaging 14.6 ppg and 5.5 apg in 11 games. Unfortunately, he was suspended by the NCAA due to allegations of impermissible benefits. He ultimately went pro that offseason, with Texas ending up finishing under .500 and missing the NCAA Tournament.Â
7. Dillon Mitchell (2022-24)
Stats: 6.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg
Mitchell started 71 games in two years at Texas, including on the Elite 8 squad in 2023. As we saw throughout his college basketball career, he’s a quality defender and skilled passer but never much of an offensive threat. Still, he proved to be an impactful player for the Longhorns, just not of the five-star variety.
6. Cory Joseph (2010-11)
Stats: 10.4 ppg and 3.0 apg
Joseph started all 36 games for the Longhorns in his lone year, leading them in passing. The 6’3 guard shot 41% from three-point range and went for a season-high 21 points in a win over North Carolina. The All-Big 12 freshman was also one of the top perimeter defenders in the conference that season before going in the NBA Draft.
5. Cameron Ridley (2012-16)
Stats: 8.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg
The 6’9 center started 96 games in four years with the program before a foot injury ended his college career. Ridley’s best season was his sophomore campaign, averaging 11.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg, along with over two blocks per game. Overall, he has just one NCAA Tournament win over the four years.
4. Tristan Thompson (2010-11)
Stats: 13.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg
The future top-5 NBA Draft pick was the Big 12 Rookie of the Year in 2011, leading the Big 12 in blocks and offensive rebounding. Among Thompson’s best games included a 26-point and 10-rebound game in a win over Kansas State. He also was three blocks shy of a triple-double in an NCAA Tournament win over Oakland.Â
3. Myles Turner (2014-15)
Stats: 10.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg
Despite mostly coming off the bench, Turner was still a two-way impact player in his lone year at Texas, earning All-Big 12 honors and Rookie of the Year. He led the league with 2.6 blocks per game, along with several huge games. One was a 25-point and 12-rebound outing in a win over Texas Tech, one of his seven CBB starts. Turner pulled down 10 rebounds in the team’s Round of 64 defeat to Butler.
2. Tre Johnson (2024-25)
Stats: 19.9 ppg and 2.7 apg
The 6’6 guard was outstanding for Texas Basketball in his lone year, leading the entire SEC in scoring. Johnson, who also earned All-SEC honors in the program’s first year in the league, had a trio of 30+ point games, including 39 in an overtime loss to Arkansas. His last game was a 23-point outing in a loss to Xavier in the NCAA Tournament play-in game.
1. Mo Bamba (2017-18)
Stats: 12.9 ppg and 10.5 rpg
In an era when bigs weren’t as prioritized, Bamba was one of the top impact centers in college basketball in the last decade. He was 12th in the country in rebounding, along with second nationally with 3.7 blocks per game. The All-Big 12 big man produced 15 double-doubles, including 13 points and 14 rebounds in the Round of 64 loss to Nevada. While there wasn’t as much team success, Bamba was easily a top-tier individual producer.
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