No. 15 SMU Mustangs
Jaden Toombs – 4 star - #38 nationally
Nigel Walls – 4 star - #70 nationally
Jermaine O'Neal Jr. – 4 star - #90 nationally
Bj Davis-Ray – 3 star - # 129 nationally
SMU joined the ACC with the hopes of developing a premier basketball program. Suppose the first full year as a member of the conference is any indication that the plan is working as intended. The Mustangs have a fantastic recruiting class and are starting to recruit with the likes of Duke and North Carolina in their conference.
Toombs is a force in the post in both scoring and rebounding. He protects the rim well and will step out and hit an occasional three. He has a superstar ceiling. Walls is already a force on the defensive end and is a streaky shooter. His defense will get him on the floor, and any offense he provides is a bonus this year. O'Neal Jr. is a legitimate lob threat whenever he is on the floor, and much like his NBA father, he prides himself on the defensive end of the floor. SMU is a threat in the ACC this year.
No. 14 Miami Hurricanes
Shelton Henderson- 4 star- # 19 nationally
Dante Allen- 4 star- # 55 nationally
John Laboy- 3 star- #299 nationally
Timojej Malovec- Serbian recruit
The Hurricanes' inclusion on this list is a massive compliment to new head coach Jai Lucas and his success in recruiting in just a short amount of time. He was not officially hired until March and then tasked with retaining the current recruits and adding to them. He was able to add some freshmen who are quickly going to make an impact in the ACC and for Miami.
Henderson chose Miami over Duke and is the Alpha that any team in a rebuild needs. Good things happen when the wing has the ball in his hands and can defend 1-4 at an elite level. Allen is another good defender who has work to do on offense. His athleticism allows him to get to the rim and make shots others wouldn't. Laboy is a former Columbia commitment who is a project but is a good defender and streaky shooter.