No 3. Arizona Wildcats
Koa Peat- 5 star- #8 nationally
Brayden Burries – 5 star- #10 nationally
Dwayne Aristode- 4 star- # 22 nationally
Bryce James- 3 star- #212 nationally
The Wildcats are another team that everyone expects to be here. Arizona has a big brand and will always be a frontrunner when it comes to recruiting. It doesn't hurt that head coach Tommy Lloyd plays a wide-open, fast style. The style is appealing to everyone and piques the interest of many of the top players. Especially given Lloyd's ability to prepare them for the NBA.
Peat comes from an NFL family. As a result, he is strong and physical in the paint, especially on the defensive end. His offensive game needs some polish, but he will make an immediate impact on the defensive end. Burries has a high ceiling on the offensive end and is a very intriguing NBA prospect. Bryce James has a famous father, and Aristode is a freaky athlete. Arizona is a typical Lloyd-coached team.
No. 2 Houston Cougars
Chris Cenac – 5 star- #6 nationally
Isiah Harwell- 5 star- # 13 nationally
Kingston Flemings- 4 star- #17 nationally
Bryce Jackson- 3 star- #173 nationally
Houston has turned into a national powerhouse under head coach Kelvin Sampson. They are one of the best teams in the Big 12, even if they have not always been the most talented. The defense and the ability to stretch the floor are what sets them apart from almost everyone else in the country. Coach Sampson is not going to rebuild but rather reload with three recruits who could all be lottery picks next season.
Cenac is the star of the show and has the highest ceiling of any player in the class. He is already a fantastic rebounder and will likely develop into an even better rebounder. He can score from anywhere on the floor and will thrive for coach Sampson. Harwell might lead the Cougars in scoring this year and will anchor the defense in the backcourt. Flemings is a lockdown defender who is an elite passer. The offense is a work in progress, but Flemings has tremendous upside. Talent is no longer an issue in Houston.