Recently reports have surfaced claiming that Manchester United are ready to sell Paul Pogba to Juventus and loan him back to the Serie A club. The French international midfielder has stunned everyone with his performances this season and what was once thought of as a potential future United captain has been linked with a move away from the club.
The rumors are flying thick and fast that Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez are set to leave Old Trafford this summer. Rumors are coming thick and fast about who will replace them, too. Will it be Alexis Sanchez? Will it be Michael Carrick? Will it be Fred? Will it be Manchester United’s new cheque book?
Recently reports have surfaced claiming that Manchester United are ready to sell Paul Pogba to Juventus and loan him back to the Serie A club. The French international midfielder has stunned everyone with his performances this season and what was once thought of as a potential future United captain has been linked with a move away from the club.. Read more about 2021 college basketball rankings and let us know what you think.
In a mini-series of announcements over the weekend, five-star defenseman Nolan Hickman transferred to Gonzaga, elite scorer Jaden Hardy made his G-League plans official, and Arthur Caluma, a top-50 prospect, transferred to Creighton, putting a cap on the 2021 class. Only one candidate from the ESPN 100 list, former Auburn star Trey Alexander, is still available.So it was the perfect time to update our top 25 recruiting classes - the rankings are virtually unchanged at this point in the cycle.
Michigan clings to first place - with difficulty: Juwan Howard and the Wolverines didn’t quite make it to the top, but when five-star Caleb Hostan and Moussa Diabate committed to Michigan in the fall, they took the top spot and never left. While Hustan and Diabate can immediately claim a starting spot, top-50 defenders Frankie Collins and Kobe Bafkin will also have an immediate impact on the perimeter.
Gonzaga is doing most of the 5-star takedowns: Gonzaga moved closer to first place after Hickman’s commitment, but the depth of Michigan’s class kept the Wolverines in first place. Mark Few’s program still has more five-star candidates than any other program in the country - a remarkable feat for a West Coast Conference program. In fact, Gonzaga’s dominance has given the WCC the second-most five-star prospects of any conference in the country. Prospect Chet Holmgren will be one of the best frontcourt players in college basketball next season, and Hickman and Hunter Sallis could start playing right away.
The influence of the G-League is waning: Last year, the G-League snatched four five-star players from college: Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix. This year there were only two: Hardy and talented striker Michael Foster. While the number of non-players in high school continues to increase, it has not yet impacted college play to the point where it has become a problem. The introduction of a name, an image, a parable is also intended to dilute the effect.
By acquiring Chet Holmgren, Nolan Hickman and Hunter Sallis, Mark Few has made Gonzaga the second acquisition of the 2021 cycle. AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Duke and Kentucky are in the top five: This was a one-time recruiting year, with no campus visits or in-person assessments. But despite some ups and downs during the recruiting calendar, two of the biggest recruiting powers still finished in the top five. Duke finished third with two five-star contenders and A.J. Griffin, who is on the verge of five-star. Kentucky lost Hickman, but replaced him with five-star point guard Tayti Washington, who joins two other top-35 candidates.
At the top, the SEC dominates: The SEC was perhaps the biggest winner in the transfer market this spring, and it showed in the recruiting. There were 22 five-star players in the final ESPN 100 rankings, and 20 of them will play college basketball next season. Of those 20, 7 will go to the SEC. No other league has had more than three five-star prospects. Four of the top eight recruiting classes in the country are also in the SEC.
Milwaukee? ! Milwaukee didn’t make the final top 25, but the Panthers were perhaps the most profitable for the 2021 class. The Horizon League program attracted Baldwin, a top-five candidate who preferred to play at his father’s house, Milwaukee head coach Patrick Baldwin Sr. than go to Duke. While we’ve seen major programs in the past recruit parents of top prospects to bring them in, we’ve never seen a top player like Baldwin choose a small program like Milwaukee and still be recruited by blue blood. This will be a fascinating storyline next season.
Previous review: 1
The Wolverines have the same recruitment drive as everyone else in America. In the fall, they tied seniors Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate, who are ranked in the top 10, for two weeks. Hustan, from Canada, was reclassified for 2022 and chose Michigan over Alabama, Duke and Virginia. Diabate kept a low profile, but the Wolverines have taken a big step forward by securing the French big man’s contract. They join guards Frankie Collins and Kobe Bafkin (ESPN 100), as well as summer recruits Isaiah Barnes and Will Tschetter. Juwan Howard proved his ability to find players when he brought in four ESPN 100 prospects in 2020, including five-star Isaiah Todd, who ultimately chose the G League. But the No. 1 class confirms his status as a top recruiter.
Previous review: 2
While Gonzaga did not have a perfect season, it has established itself as a top destination for high school talent, even those with only one season under their belt. Chet Holmgren, the No. 1 player in the ESPN 100, is following in the footsteps of former teammate Jalen Suggs and heading west to Spokane. Holmgren is the school’s most unique prospect at 6-foot-4: he has great size, skills, and the ability to block shots while still growing into his body. Hunter Sallis is another five-star aspirant, this time for the defensive line, which will give the Bulldogs a dynamic playmaker who can fill the spot vacated by Suggs’ departure. Nolan Hickman is the third five-star candidate in this class. His commitment was particularly noteworthy, not only because of his ability and reliability in the backcourt, but also because he turned down Kentucky and chose the Zags, which marked a change in recruiting for college basketball. Caden Perry, like Hickman, comes from Northwestern and is a four-star attacker who can play multiple minutes from day one and play a pivotal role in the coming years.
Previous review: 3
The Blue Devils have an elite group of four. Paolo Banchero (#3) has every reason to be considered the best in the country. He was a consistent player throughout most of his high school career and will be a factor from day one in Durham, North Carolina. A.J. Griffin (#27) transferred to Duke in November 2019, and while he didn’t play much last year, he has excellent size and physicality for a wing and can play both ends of the floor. Third in line is five-star defender Trevor Keels, one of the top scorers in this class. He will immediately improve the performance of Duke’s backcourt. The Blue Devils also improved their back-end position by taking playmaker Jalen Blakes off the ESPN 100 list earlier this week.
Mike Krzyzewski currently gives Duke its eighth consecutive top-3 recruit. John Byrum/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Previous review: 4
After recruiting a top-five group with two five-star sophomores in 2020, Rick Barnes recruited an even deeper group in 2021. It all started with Kennedy Chandler, one of the best point guards in the country, choosing the Volunteers over teams like Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina and his hometown of Memphis. Next season, Chandler should have the ball in his hands from day one; he loves to attack the rim and will be a consistent dribbler. He is the third recruit selected by Tennessee since the ESPN database became operational in 2007. Chandler is joined on the defensive line by Jahmai Mashack, a four-star player from California who is one of the best defensive players in the class. Quentin Dibunje Eiobo is a 6-foot-5 player from Montverde Academy who will provide depth and versatility on the wing. Tennessee recruited center Jonas Eida (ESPN 100) in the spring after terminating his contract with Marquette and five-star forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, who was reclassified from 2022 to 2021, to join the Wolves immediately, giving them one of the best frontcourt tandems in the country. In total, that group now includes five players, four ESPN 100 players and two five-star prospects.
Previous review: 5
For this spring, John Calipari rebuilt his program in a different way. The Wildcats did the heavy lifting in the transfer portal, picking up four transfers who could be immediately eligible for starting positions. But Kentucky hasn’t gotten very far on the recruiting trail either. The Wildcats have done the heavy lifting early in the cycle by acquiring Bryce Hopkins, a solid combo forward and scorer who can contribute to the offense early on, and Daimion Collins, a big man who fits Kentucky’s prototype as a rim runner, explosive finisher and shot blocker with plenty of room for future growth. After Nolan Hickman decided to rescind his contract in the spring, Calipari brought in Taity Washington, who as a senior has improved his position like no other in the country; he’s a great offensive player who makes big plays in big games.
Previous review: 6
A talented trio of Jayhawks frontcourts are coming to Lawrence next year, which should make for plenty of recruiting challenges. Zach Clemens is a big man with good length and a good shot. He keeps defenders away from the basket and opens up the passing game, which fits perfectly with fellow ESPN 100 player K.J. Adams, a 6-foot-4 forward who attacks the rim with relentless physicality. Sidney Curry is a good midfielder coming out of college. The backcourt consists of Bobby Pettiford, a playmaker who should add speed to the team, and Kyle Cuffe, an explosive and quick jumper. He is a possible candidate for reclassification starting in 2022.
Previous review: 7
After winning the regular season and the SEC tournament, Nate Oates is getting a fresh start in recruiting. The key figure is five-star J.D. Davison, one of the most explosive guards in the country. Davison will bring elite leaping ability and finishing skills into the game; he’ll be the main guy to bring down pitchers. Up front, center Charles Bediako, who is ranked in the top-30, will help immediately with his size and range. It has a high ceiling. Oates also recruited Nimari Burnett (Texas Tech) and Noah Gourley (Furman), but don’t forget four-star small forward Jusaun Holt - he’ll help the Crimson Tide shoot from the perimeter.
Previous review: 22
After arriving in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Will Wade continues to recruit at a high level. Afton Reed’s recruitment in early May brought the class into the top 10. At the end of the process, LSU put a lot of pressure on Reed, who ultimately chose the Tigers over Pittsburgh. He will be a great man who will be different from others from day one. Even after Alex Fudge’s early enrollment, the rest of the class is still able to make an impact. Jerrell Colbert has a high ceiling in the paint and will be able to help on both ends of the floor. Brandon Murray is a scoring winger who will play a key role in the attack from various positions on the field. Bradley Ezeviro, who originally signed for 2020 but decided in the summer to reclassify and wait a year, will add depth to the front line.
With the acquisition of Afton Reed, Will Wade led the LSU Tigers to a top-10 recruiting class. Steven Liew - USA TODAY Sports
Previous review: 17
Tad Boyle had six seniors on scholarship last season, and while some may yet return thanks to the new NCAA release, Buffalo needed to do some shuffling in the 2021 class, so he found five players and a potential sixth. The highest-ranked trio in the ESPN 100: 6-foot-2 center Lawson Lovering, small forward Quincy Allen and former Arizona star KJ Simpson. Lovering has really improved over the course of his high school career, increasing his mobility and expanding his offensive game, and Allen is a talented wing defender who can shoot. Simpson has made quick progress since returning to the draft; he’s a defender who can play at either backcourt position. Defensive backs Javon Ruffin and Julian Hammond III should add depth to the team, and Drew Carter is a two-sport star who should have more impact on the field.
Previous review: 8
Emony Bates is just a junior in high school and will likely never play basketball, but when he verbally committed to Michigan State, it gave the Spartans an undeniable boost on the recruiting trail and the momentum they needed to build their final top-10 class. They had already secured the commitment of Pierre Brooks, a 6-foot-4, 4-star winger from nearby Detroit, and less than 10 days after Bates’ commitment, they got Max Christie, a 5-star defenseman who has recently grown to 6-foot-4 and 4 stars. Later in the summer, they acquired another good defenseman with Jaden Akins from Michigan, strengthening their class of three ESPN 100 players and reaffirming their dominance in the Midwest region.
Previous review: 9
The Seminoles had the best recruiting class in the country until Bryce McGowens dropped out in October, but Leonard Hamilton went to Tallahassee again. The current headliner is Matt Cleveland (#30), who has been one of the most impressive prospects at several live events this spring and early summer. Jalen Worley (#46) can play at either backcourt position and is another player who developed very well last year. John Butler (No. 66) will play center, and the 6-foot-4 Naheem McLeod is considered one of the top college prospects in the country. The four freshmen announced their acceptance within two weeks of each other in July and August.
Previous review: 25
Greg McDermott lost five-star point guard Tayti Washington, who relinquished to the Bluejays in March, as well as two of his three assistants, but he still put together a class that claimed top-10 status. The Blue Jays have four commitments, including three ESPN 100 prospects. Ryan Nembhard has improved tremendously as a senior, proving to be one of the school’s most reliable playmakers and able to handle Creighton’s offensive system. Mason Miller is an experienced attacker with jumping and shooting abilities, and he will only grow as he gets fitter. John Christophilis also fits well into McDermott’s system as a pure shooter. The last amendment was crucial: Arthur Kaluma was a former UNLV star before the coach switch, and he gives Creighton a versatile four-star forward and a college-ready scorer up front. The Bluejays also remain one of the contenders for Trey Alexander, the only available candidate on the ESPN 100 list.
Previous review: 10
Dan Hurley and the Huskies team went from an empty class to a group of three in just two weeks in July and August. It all started with Rahsul Diggins, a tenacious point guard from Philadelphia who opponents had a hard time keeping on the team. After Diggins came Jordan Hawkins, a promising winger who can shoot from the rim and has excellent rebounds. Samson Johnson, a promising 4 who combines mobility, fluidity, rebounding and some starting ability, rounds out the team. UConn has recruited a total of three players who have the potential to excel for the program.
Previous review: 12
Scott Drew’s club made headlines in July when the Bears received three commitments from two high-profile players on the ESPN 100 list - Langston Love and Kendall Brown - as well as the highly versatile and productive forward Jeremy Sochan during the week. All three are employable at multiple positions, have experience with better opponents and are capable of making an immediate impression. Brown is a 6-foot-5 combo forward and one of the most explosive players in the country. Love is a solid scorer on the wing and Sochan is a smart and experienced attacker. After this year’s national championship, the three newcomers should be able to play next year.
Previous review: 13
This could be the best ensemble in Nebraska history. At center is Bryce McGowens, a 6-6 versatile defender who originally came to Florida State but has now joined the Huskers. Trey McGowens’ older brother came from Pittsburgh a year earlier. Fred Hoiberg has another ESPN 100 representative in his class, Wilhelm Breidenbach, a veteran first baseman who hopes to follow the same path Hoiberg took at Iowa State with Georges Nyang. Together, they are the first ESPN 100 tandem since 2015 to choose Nebraska. Hoiberg rounded out the group with center Oleg Kozenz and guard Keisei Tominaga.
2 Connected
Previous review: 14
The Hoyas will have a five-man class in 2021, led by Aminu Mohammed, the top recruit who chose to transfer to Georgetown under Patrick Ewing. Muhammad is a five-star prospect with a college-ready body and a strong motor who should be one of the best freshmen in the Big East next year. But he’s not the only player the Hoyas are counting on to make an immediate impact. Jordan Riley is an explosive defender and one of the best athletes in the 2021 class. Tyler Beard is a playmaker who will complement a trio of new backcourt stars. The Hoyas will keep the family bond at the forefront by adding Ryan Mutombo, the son of Hall of Fame player Dikembe Mutombo, who will provide protection and has potential to play in the low regions, and by adding three-star forward Jalin Billingsley.
Previous review: 15
Mick Cronin had no luck in his first full round of recruiting at Westwood: The five-star Dachen Knicks point guard has decided to go to the G-League instead of enrolling at UCLA as originally intended. But Cronin returned to the 2021 class by removing the duo of Payton Watson (#12) and Will McClendon (#67) from the ESPN 100. Watson, a five-star, continued its momentum last year, rising faster in the rankings than anyone else in the country. Meanwhile, McClendon has a very good frame and hits the ring effectively. After a shocking elimination in the Final Four, Cronin could have a national title contender on his hands next season if everyone returns to Westwood. The Bruins also bolstered their frontcourt with Myles Johnson, who came over from Rutgers.
Previous review: 16
It all started with the early promise of Isa Silva, a 6-foot-4 point guard and one of the most creative passers in the class. In September, the Cardinals won the battle to draft Harrison Ingram, one of the most versatile hitters in the country, to replace Williams and K.Z. Okpala as the last big-playing winger in Jerod Haase’s system. Stanford rounded out the class by securing its backcourt with the commitment of Jarvis Moss, a terrific defender from North Carolina.
Previous review: N/A
Penny Hardaway’s club got the job done early by signing four players during the Early Signing Period in November. So early that their top recruit, Jordan Nesbitt, joined the school mid-year. Unfortunately, it may have been too soon for the Tigers, as Nesbitt put his name on the transfer portal after playing just three games. Memphis adjusted, however, and belatedly accepted the commitment of Oregon transfer forward Jonathan Lawson. He joins a group of wingers like Josh Minott, who at 6-8 possesses point guard skills, and John Camden, who is an experienced three-point shooter. Combined, this group gives Memphis interchangeable connections in the middle of the line and excellent size on the perimeter. Sam Onu may be the only member of the class that isn’t a multi-starter, but the big man offers a strong physical presence in the lane and has improved significantly over the past two years.
Previous review: 18
Shaka Smart lost center Jonas Ida (ESPN 100) shortly after replacing Steve Wojciechowski in Milwaukee, but he added two players this month to keep the Golden Eagles in the top 25 in the country. Ranked as an ESPN 100, point guard Stevie Mitchell is an offensive player who can score himself and create for others. Mitchell will be tasked with starting in Smart’s system from day one. Two other four-star guards - point guard Cameron Jones and shooter Emarion Ellis - will add depth to the team, while Kiyan Itjere and David Joplin joined the class in mid-April.
Chet Holmgren, a 7-foot-1 power forward from Minneapolis, is the No. 1 pick in the 2021 class. Who else is behind this? Full ranking list
Previous review: 19
Skeptics weren’t sure Mike Woodson could recruit players after working in the NBA for decades, but if his first month on the job is any indication, he’s more than up to the task. Not only did Woodson retain key members of the rotation and previous coaching staff, but he also excelled in the transfer market. In high school, he got a commitment from a key ESPN 100 player, Logan Duncombe, and got the best available player in the class, Tamar Bates. Duncombe is not only important because he can immediately play some attacking minutes, he also strengthens the local recruiting channels. Bates, however, has a chance to be a star. He is a top prospect who can impact play on both sides of the ball with his length, defensive skills and shooting ability.
Previous review: 20
Anthony Grant’s club made national headlines last year, both through their collective success and Obi Toppin’s individual performance. Now, building on that momentum, the Flyers are reaching new heights on the recruiting trail with several four-star prospects, including ESPN 100 big man Daron Holmes, the highest rated prospect to ever participate in a Dayton recruitment. Holmes has a developing physical, as well as face-up skills that complement his indoor game. Caleb Washington also has a lot of potential and physicality, and Mustafa Amzil (enrolled mid-year) perfectly complements Holmes and Washington as a veteran big attacker. The future backcourt consists of two defenders who can share the ball: Malachi Smith, a very reliable and consistent center defender who is following the Flyers’ pipeline to New York, and Philadelphia native Lynn Greer III, a big and physical center defender who completed his prep year at IMG Academy.
Previous review: 21
The Fighting Illini are seeded No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament this year, but must replace five of their top eight players, including All-Americans Ayo Dosunma and Kofi Cockburn. Transfers Omar Payne (Florida) and Alfonso Plummer (Utah) will help, as will the arrival of new freshmen. Brad Underwood has three men with four stars, led by Ramses Melendez and Luke Goode. Both players can shoot from the outside rim, and Hood also has some offensive versatility outside of the 3-point. Earlier this month, Illinois received the commitment of Brandin Podziemski, a player who improved tremendously last year.
Previous review: 23
The Kevin Kitts class has three main characteristics. First, he and his team did their job early, bringing in all three commitments in the early signing period. Second, they favored their region: Two of the three pledges were made in their respective states. Third, they have recruited players who can thrive in their complete game system. Ernest Ross, an ESPN 100 product, is a prime example. He is a big attacker who has the mobility and versatility to excel in NC State’s tempo style. Terquavion Smith and Breon Pass are locals who will be teammates on the back line. Smith is a highly motivated player who committed as a sophomore, and Pass is an explosive playmaker with an exciting style.
Previous review: 24
Villanova’s 2021 recruiting class lasted two years, so it’s no surprise that Jay Wright and his staff brought in four strategic rookies in late July. The prototype remained the same for the Wildcats, who added experienced, versatile players from the first half of the East Coast who fit their culture. One of them, Trey Patterson, graduated early and entered the game midway through the season, reducing the Wildcats’ class in the fall. But Nnanna Njoku, a product of the ESPN 100, is a long, powerful big man in the middle who develops one-on-one skills, while Jordan Longino and Angelo Brizzi are versatile and also have the outside dimensions that Villanova has always valued in the backcourt.
Outside: Auburn (11)
The rankings of the previous classes can be found here.The rumors are flying thick and fast that Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez are set to leave Old Trafford this summer. Rumors are coming thick and fast about who will replace them, too. Will it be Alexis Sanchez? Will it be Michael Carrick? Will it be Fred? Will it be Manchester United’s new cheque book?. Read more about rivals 2021 basketball rankings and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the top recruiting class for 2021?
The top recruiting class for 2021 is Florida.
Who is the best 8th grade basketball player 2021?
The best 8th grade basketball player 2021 is a player who is skilled at basketball, and is in the 8th grade.
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