Top 15 Best Basketball Recruiting Classes

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UCLA Bruins

With the recent addition of J’mison Morgan (the former LSU recruit de-committed following a coaching change), UCLA crowns not only the best class of 2008, but one of the best classes in years. Morgan, a 5-star prospect, is joined by fellow 5-star recruit Jrue Holiday, and 4-stars prospects Jerime Anderson, Malcolm Lee, and Drew Gordon. Holiday, a combo guard from Los Angeles, is considered by many as the best prospect in the 2008 class. After three consecutive trips to the Final Four, Ben Howland and the Bruins looked poised for yet another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Thad Matta is making Buckeye fans rethink whether Ohio State is a football first university. Matta scores another impressive recruiting haul with 5-star prospects B.J. Mullens and William Buford and 4-star Terrelle Pryor. Three-star recruits Anthony Crater and Walter Offutt give the class impressive depth.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest hauled in 3 outstanding recruits, including two highly-prized centers: 5-star Ty Walker and 4-star Tony Woods. The Demon Deacons also attracted another 5-star prospect, Al-Farouq Aminu, a small forward from Georgia.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Roy Williams needs to replace several talented Tar Heel players expected to be drafted by the NBA, and the transfer of PF/C Alex Stepheson. His 2008 class will go a long way to replenishing the talent pool. Five-star power forwards Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller are joined by 4-star Larry Drew and 3-star Justin Watts. Williams and Company just keep reloading.

Louisville Cardinals

Is there a better recruiter in all of college basketball than Rick Pitino? In 2008, he’s done it again. Samardo Samuels, rated by many as the best power forward in the 2008 class, is joined by 4-star prospects Jared Swopshire and Terrence Jennings. And 3-star Kyle Kuric gives Pitino’s outstanding class depth at guard.

Connecticut Huskies

The Huskies moved up several places in the rankings when Jim Calhoun landed 4-star power forward Ater Majok. Majok was one of the last unsigned major prospects of the 2008 class. He rounds out an already impressive class of 5-star Kemba Walker, 4-star Nate Miles, and 3-star Scottie Haralson.

Memphis Tigers

John Calipari has occasionally taken criticism for cutting recruiting corners, but it’s hard to argue with success. 2008 marks another banner year with 5-star Tyreke Evans at guard and 4-star Wesley Witherspoon, Angel Garcia, and Matt Simpkins at forward.

Georgetown Hoyas

Many will argue John Thompson III’s most recent recruiting class deserves an even higher ranking… and they may be right. Thompson scores another formidable class with 5-star Greg Monroe at power forward, 4-star Henry Sims at center, 4-star Jason Clark at guard, and 4-star Chris Braswell at forward.

Arizona Wildcats

Lute Olsen may have been missing-in-action last year, but his presence was certainly felt on the recruiting circuit. Olsen and his Wildcats landed one of the best classes in the nation with Brandon Jennings of vaunted Oak Hill Academy (arguably the best point guard in the nation) and 4-star Jeff Withey. Three-star shooting guards Kyle Fogg and Brendan Lavender give the class depth.

West Virginia Mountaineers

The Mountaineers look to rejoin the ranks of the elite programs with their most recent class. Five-star small forward Devin Ebanks headlines the ticket, with 4-star Kevin Jones and Roscoe Davis, and 3-star Darryl Bryant rounding out the class.

Florida Gators

Billy Donovan’s 2008 class will go a long way to restoring the Gators to the top of the college basketball world. Donovan has landed an impressive class with 4-star recruits Kenny Kadji, Eloy Vargas, Ray Shipman, and Allan Chaney. Three-star Erving Walker adds depth at point guard.

Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas needed a banner class to replenish the talent defecting to the NBA after winning the national championship. Although the class lacks 5-star talent, Bill Self scored a deep draft with seven 4-star and 3-star recruits. The Jayhawks should remain contenders next year with this bevy of talent.

Duke Blue Devils

Coach K was selective in 2008, inducing 5-star Elliot Williams and 4-star forwards Miles Plumlee and Olek Czyz to play for the Blue Devils. Duke will compete for the ACC championship, and perhaps a national title, with this talent augmenting its current team.

Kentucky Wildcats

With a banner 2008 recruiting class, Billy Gillespie had good reason to spurn schools like Oklahoma State, desperately trying to lure him away from the intense pressure of Kentucky basketball. Gillespie and Wildcat alum have reason to celebrate with 4-star point guard DeAndre Liggins, 4-star small forwards Darius Miller and Kevin Galloway, and 3-star center Josh Harrellson. Historically, Gillespie is a shrewd judge of talent, adept at spotting 5-star quality in 3-star prospects.

Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles welcome an outstanding 2008 recruiting class. Chris Singleton, a 5-star power forward, is the marquee player. But 4-star guard Derwin Kitchen and 4-star center Xavier Gibson are also tremendous prospects. Three-star Luke Loucks and 2-star Pierre Jordan add depth at point guard.