Four-star small forward Isaiah Coleman commits to the College of Charleston (2024)

Recruiting as we know it has changed drastically over the last few years but remains the lifeline for all college basketball programs. Check here every day as The Athletic keeps you up to date on all of the news around the world of recruiting.

(Photo of DJ Wagner: Gregory Payan / AP)

Coleman chose the Cougars over Xavier and Mississippi State

The 6-foot-5, 180-pound SF is the second commitment for Cougars in the 2023 class alongside four-star PF Mayar Wol

In Indianapolis (Ind.) during the third session of the Nike EYBL made the Third Team with averages of 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals.

Coleman, 17, is the No. 63 overall recruit and No. 6 SG per 247Sports Composite rankings.

Number of commitments in parentheses.

1. Duke (4)
2. Michigan State (4)
3. Kentucky (3)
4. Iowa State (4)
5. Ohio State (4)
6. Oregon (3)
7. UConn (3)
8. Tennessee (3)
9. Maryland (3)
10. Xavier (3)

via 247Sports Composite Rating

(Bob Donnan / USA Today)

Swain chose the Musketeers over Ohio State, Arizona, Clemson, and Arkansas.

The 6-foot-6, 170-pound SF is No. 86 overall prospect per 247Sports Composite rankings and as a junior, he averaged 20.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.0 blocks and 2.9 steals per game.

Swain will join four-star PG Trey Green and four-star SF Reid Ducharme as the third commitment for the Musketeers in the 2023 class.

Estrella chose the Vols over Iowa and Syracuse.

The 6-foot-11, 210-pound center averaged 20.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game at South Portland (Maine) High School.

Estrella joins four-star CG Freddie Dilione and Four-star PF Cade Phillips as the third commitment for the Vols in the 2023 class.

The average freshman in the Power 6 conferences last season averaged:

3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds

Only shot the ball 3.3 times

Played 11.8 minutes

Started 6.1 games and played in a total of 22.3 games

Second-year Oklahoma coach Porter Moser spoke to The Athletic's Brian Hamilton for a wide-ranging Q&A on the Sooners program, including this tidbit on how he is recruiting at OU as compared to Loyola-Chicago, his previous stop.

"I really think your recruiting is judged after the player gets there, and what he does. Like when I recruited (Cameron Krutwig) nobody said, “Oh, that’s that’s a high-level recruit.” But when he got done, he was an All-American. And it was like, “What a great sign.” Or you could sign a highly recruited guy who doesn’t do much. I think it’s important for us to have that balance of recruiting guys that are high-level, talented guys that still fit what we’re doing.

"Because you’re playing night in and night out against lottery picks and pros and, you know, we got guys that I think are the same thing. We’re recruiting that same guy. So I just think you’ve got to recruit to you. Pitch your system. Our two high-level ranked guys, they totally fit everything we do."

Describing Class of 2024 prospect George Turkson Jr. is simple, he's a winner and an unbelievable student-athlete. He is the ideal type of player you want in your program as he is more than just an athlete but a leader and does things the right way.

Turkson Jr. is one of the best defenders in the country and will immediately make an impact at the college level on that side of the floor.

The No. 51 overall prospect per 247Sports Composite rankings, and he breaks down his recruitment for The Athletic.

Cal: "One of the schools that’s been really active in my recruiting process, most recently. Coach Mark Fox and Coach Andrew Francis have been really consistent with showing love and support this summer. Coach Francis, taking the time to sit down with me and go over my AAU film from this summer, I take that to heart, and is something I’m going to remember greatly and be grateful for during this process."

Boston College: "Boston College is right outside the neighborhood, Boston College and Coach Anthony Grant have always shown love and gratitude for me and what I stand on as a person and basketball player. They advocate for gritty, tough basketball, and that’s something I look for in a school, it’s how I play and how I learned to play."

Providence: "One of the schools that have offered me and been consistent from the beginning of my recruiting process, coming off a great Big East Championship and NCAA tournament run they really put their money where their mouth is when they say that they look to develop players and play the long game. Watching them practice proved all of that. Going out there to see Providence play at their home court, at Dunkin’ Donuts Center, was an absolute amazing experience, the students, fans, supporters, the energy, everything about the culture, and support the athletes receive is unbelievable. Coach Ed Cooley and Coach Brian Blaney, amazing coaches and people, taking the time to look at me and say “he can make a difference here” is something I most definitely appreciate and take into consideration."

VCU: "Another school that’s been appreciating how I play, they are also big on development, getting players to fill bigger roles, and being versatile. Coach Brent Scott and Coach J.D. Byers continue to show love to me and my values as a basketball player."

Texas A&M: "Texas A&M, is a school that has been recruiting me and building a relationship with me a lot over the past two years. Lots of great things to say about the coaching staff and the morals/values they stand on. They send me motivational TikToks here and there to tell me they’re coming to watch my game, great game, all the little stuff, it goes a long way. Being appreciative of the relationships built with the coaching staff over at Texas A&M would be an understatement."

Rutgers: "Rutgers is a great school, with amazing facilities, amazing coaches, amazing selfless and charismatic atmosphere. Coach TJ Thompson is one of the coaches at Rutgers that has continued to show love throughout this process and was consistently at Traveling AAU games and tournaments. I have a great relationship with Rutgers and its’ staff."

Turkson Jr. plans on taking an official visit to Texas A&M in September and is planning to visit Cal Berkley but hasn't set a date yet.

Turkson's Jr. AAU team MassRivals won the Adidas 17U Open Championship by "playing the long game" and buying into the culture of their program.

"This summer was definitely one to remember, had an amazing AAU run with the Mass Rivals. We had a bunch of young guys on our 17u squad, so we definitely wanted to prove something and had a chip on our shoulder throughout all of spring and summer. We all bought into the rigorous play style and gritty/physical basketball that has run in the rivals for years. After tough losses, we always come together and come back stronger, and we have to find it within ourselves to be selfless and play for each other," Turkson Jr. said. "That’s what we did all summer long, we played the long game and continued to get better in the gym 3-4 times a week. And I’m talking hard practices, if you come to a MassRivals practice you will understand why we're able to go so far and win the open Adidas circuit despite some of our deficiencies, for example, height. But we counteract all that with playing hard, all game and physical. And overall, it was fun, made new relationships and new memories."

The 6-foot-8, 205-pound SF has high expectations for his junior year and plans on expanding his game.

"Going into my junior year I want to develop more, be able to expand my game, become a consistent shooter, be able to handle the ball more, and overall create more options offensively," he said. "I want to continue to improve defensively, communicate more, create energy on the floor, etc. just expand in all assets of my game."

Class of 2024 SF Jalen Shelley is coming off a big summer and is starting to get national attention as he has expanded his game as a playmaker and shot maker.

The 6-foot-8, 180-pound small forward is the No. 37 overall prospect per 247Sports Composite rankings, and he breaks down his recruitment for The Athletic.

Texas: "Texas will always be one of my favorites because it’s close to home and one of my first offers. Before Coach Jerrance Howard left the program, I had a good relationship with him throughout the whole summer. I was recently contacted by the new assistant, Brandon Chappell, and he just introduced himself."

Texas Tech: "I've talked to Tech pretty often throughout the summer and the coaching staff really seemed to love my game. The Tech fanbase is amazing!! I would love to go to a game and just be a part of the great atmosphere."

Houston: "I just recently went on my first unofficial visit to Houston and the campus and coaches were AWESOME. Just being around Coach Kelvin Sampson and talking with him motivated me a lot. His mindset is killer and I’d love to play with a coach like him. I really enjoyed the visit and definitely plan on going back again."

Kansas State: "I haven’t been in touch with K-State recently but one thing I have noticed is that the fans are everywhere on social media. The program always has some good hoopers that come through."

Texas A&M: "I have conversations with some of the coaches often throughout the week. Coach Lyle Wolf sends me motivational videos and quotes daily to get me through the week."

LSU: "I really enjoy talking to Coach Ronnie Hamilton because of the energy and love he brings. We talk very often and he definitely boosts my confidence. LSU is a program that I could possibly see myself playing in someday."

Tennessee: "I haven’t been in touch with Tennessee recently. Coach Rod Clark was the first coach to ever hit me up and offer me. I really enjoyed the connection I had with Coach Rod. The offer meant a lot to me because they were the first to recognize it."

Class of 2024 SF Marcus Allen had an excellent summer and is now hearing from several schools daily.

The 6-foot-9, 190-pound small forward averaged 17.8 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.

Allen has a unique combination of size, skill, defensive instincts, and athleticism so it is easy to see why Texas, Texas A&M, Cincinnati, Georgia, Arkansas, and several other programs are starting to recruit him.

The No. 41 overall prospect per 247Sports Composite rankings breaks down his recruitment for The Athletic.

Miami: "That's my hometown school, so going there is like I'm reliving my childhood all over again because I grew up there my whole life & I’ve been a part of it for so long."

Florida State: "FSU is oof ne the very first school to offer me a scholarship & that’s big for me because I know they believe in my game & what I can bring to their school. When I went on my unofficial all the coaching staff were showing nothing but love!"

Missouri: "Missouri is a big school for me, they have a new coaching staff on the come up there and a big-time school in the SEC trying to make a name for themselves. I like Mizzou & the way their coaching staff is putting all the pieces together, they are defensive-minded, and defensive is how I strive on the court!"

Arizona State: "ASU is literally 20-25 minutes away from AZ Compass Prep the school I go to now, so I'm really considering it, the state of Arizona is very beautiful & it’s a basketball state. Also, whenever I get a chance, I can always go on campus because of the distance."

Baylor: "It doesn’t go a day where coach Scott Drew doesn’t reach out and sends me things about the school or the program. I’ve always grown up an RG3 (Robert Griffin III) fan so it’s a blessing to be recruited by Baylor."

UCF: "Coach Johnny Dawkins and the rest of their staff are very good people, the one time I went there during the summer it felt like a family from the coaching staff and then to the people. It's also near home."

Stanford: "Stanford is one of the best education schools in the country and academics are a big thing to my family and I, they have been recruiting me extremely hard."

Allen has set up one official visit to Missouri September 17-19.

Going into his junior year, Allen decided to transfer to AZ Compas Prep in the NIBC. The NIBC is arguably the best high-school basketball league in the country as they have over 40 nationally ranked prospects regardless of class.

"The reason I decided to come to AZ Compass Prep for my junior year was I felt like I was ready to be on the biggest stage to showcase my talent day in and day out. The competition level on this type of stage is very good and it helps me achieve my ultimate goal which is playing in the NBA," Allen said. "The thing I'm most excited about while playing in the NIBC is the competition, the high-level games, and the exposure! Playing in the NIBC you play the best of the best all year long, so I'm really excited about that.

It looks like Andy Enfield has added another (and presumably final) piece to his roster for this season. Iaroslav Niagum, a 7-foot-1 Russian from the NBA Global Academy, has committed to the Trojans, per 247Sports.

Niagum is considered a three-star prospect who'll need to gain serious weight — he's listed at 215 pounds. That's Chet Holmgren territory but Holmgren was a unique prospect.

Niagum is probably a developmental piece who wouldn't see much time on the floor for the 2022-23 season. The Trojans brought in Vince Iwuchuwku, a five-star big man, as well as the 6-9 Kijani Wright (a top-50 prospect). They also have upperclassmen Joshua Morgan.

UCLA landed its first 2023 commitment from four-star forward Devin Williams when he announced it on social media....... The California native chose the Bruins over USC.

Williams, from Centennial High School, is the nation's No. 89 overall recruit and No. 19 PF, per 247Sports Composite rankings.

The 6-foot-10, 200-pound forward averaged 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 44% percent from three as a junior.

Hansberry chose the Fighting Illini over Penn State, Auburn, Miami, and Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound PF averaged 12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.

Hansberry is the first commitment for Fighting Illini in the 2023 class and is No. 52 overall prospect in the class and No. 10 PF per 247Sports Composite rankings.

Class of 2024 SF Micah Robinson is one of the more versatile players in his class and if you watch him play, it would be hard not to love his unique skillset but also his willingness to do anything it takes to win.

The 6-foot-7, 200-pound wing has been on four unofficial visits and planning more for the near future.

Robinson breaks down seven schools for The Athletic.

LSU: "I would say I’ve been in contact with LSU the most, mainly because I speak with them roughly 2-3 times a week. I recently took an unofficial there and I loved it! I’ve built a solid relationship with the coaches and would love to go back for an official."

Kansas: "I took an unofficial visit to Kansas earlier this year in around March, and I loved it! I got to meet all the coaching staff and all the players, and it was great! I recently was in contact with Coach Kurtis Townsend last week and he was just checking in on me and that sort of thing! An official back to Kansas is in the making as well."

Texas Tech: "I also visited Tech earlier last year, and it was amazing! We got to go to a football game and the fans there were crazy, I can't even imagine what they’re like for basketball games! I spoke to Coach Al Pinkins earlier last week as well, and am waiting to hear back about their plans, but an official there is possible as well."

Arkansas: "I speak with Arkansas weekly as well. Between Coach Ronnie Brewer, Coach Blake Wetherington, and Coach Eric Musselman I’ve built a solid relationship with them so far! We weren’t able to work something out before school, but I am hoping to get down on campus sometime later during the season!"

Texas A&M: "I speak with Coach Lyle (Wolf) maybe once a week I'd say. He sends me things like motivational videos, and just checks in on me! I also visited A&M earlier last year, and I would love to get back on campus sometime during the season!"

Kansas State: "I speak with Coach Ulric Maligi maybe once every other week, but I’ve already built a solid relationship with him! He was one of the first to call me when the deadline hit! I also wasn’t able to work something out before school, so K-State is also a spot I'm hoping to visit in the future!"

SMU: "I’ve spoken with all of the new coaches on the SMU staff I believe, and I stay in contact with them weekly! I visited SMU earlier last year, but now with the new staff, I’d love to get back on campus and continue to build the relationship with them!"

Going into his junior year, Robinson recently announced that he would transfer to Oak Hill to play alongside nationally ranked prospects AJ Swinton and Zion Pipkin.

"The move to Oak Hill was definitely a tough decision, but I feel like it’s the right decision for me personally. I feel Oak Hill presents some with the opportunity of a lifetime and is also giving me the toolbox to be great both on and off the court. With there being no distractions, I will really be able to lock in on my schoolwork, and on my game to further become the best version of myself," Robinson said. "I will be able to compete against the best of the best not only in games but in practice every single day! Oak Hill has had some legendary names come through, so they definitely know what it takes to succeed!"

Oak Hill is a basketball powerhouse and playing for them means more than just playing for yourself. You are playing to continue the winning culture that has been in place since the 1990s. Robinson plans on continuing that trend as he has big goals going into the 2022-23 season.

"For me, a team goal of mine is to make Geico Nationals and help my team in every way I can to put us in the best position to win! Also, I'm looking to showcase my scoring ability along with my willing mindset to create open looks for my teammates!"

1. Cam Whitmore (Villanova)
2. Donovan Clingan (UConn)
3. Mark Armstrong (Villanova)
4. Desmond Claude (Xavier)
5. Zion Cruz (DePaul)

Asemota chose the Bears over Kansas State, LSU, Arizona State, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford and Memphis.

The 6-foot-8, 190-pound SF is the No. 16th overall prospect and the No. 6 SF in the class of 2024 per 247Sports Composite rankings.

Asemota is the first commitment for Scott Drew and the Bears for the 2024 class.

Across the Indianapolis (Ind.) Nike EYBL session, Asemota averaged 22.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 55% from the field and 39% from three.

1. Kel'el Ware (Oregon)
1. Adem Bona (UCLA)
2. Amari Bailey (UCLA)
3. Vincent Iwuchukwu (USC)
4. Kylan Boswell (Arizona)

Class of 2024 PG Dink Pate is one of the most intriguing prospects in the country regardless of class and is becoming a household name.

At 6-foot-8, 180-pounds he brings a lot to the table on both ends of the floor and is being compared to Detroit Pistons PG Cade Cunnigham and Oklahoma City Thunder star-guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

After another big summer, Pate has several blue blood programs recruiting him hard, including Kentucky, Kansas, and UCLA.

Pate breaks down several schools for The Athletic.

Houston: "They have been recruiting since 9th grade. Coach Kelvin Sampson treats me like family already and is always at my games."

Texas A&M: "I visited there during the spring for a game vs Mississippi State. It was a fun atmosphere. I love the campus and want to get back down there soon. The coaching staff is great."

Alabama: "I’ve started to develop a relationship with their staff recently. I know they recruit some of the best players out of Texas and around the country. I’m really interested to see how they play and how they use Rylan Griffen this season. Just to see another person from Dallas doing good helps with my interest."

Arizona: "Their old staff started recruiting me back in 8th grade. When Jason Terry and Coach Sean Miller we’re on staff. I haven’t spoken to the new staff as much, but I do talk to Coach Jason Gardner still. I’m still very interested in seeing their school. I know they play a high offensive style of play. Would be nice to take a visit there."

Arkansas: "Coach Eric Musselman and Coach Gus Argenal always talk to me throughout the week. I’m really excited to see how they play this season and for sure want to get down there for a game this year. I want to see how they use their freshman this year. Arkansas is a top school for sure."

Texas: "Coach Chris Beard and I talk. The entire staff is really cool. I’m a KD fan so Texas is always a popular school. I want to get down there soon for a visit."

Auburn: "Coach Bruce Pearl has been recruiting me heavy ever since he offered me in the summer. They tell me that they don’t offer just anybody, and they don’t offer a lot of the same type of players. They are really high on me, and I like that because they produce pros. That’s the ultimate goal and they believe I can be that."

UCF: "They have been recruiting me heavily. I have a great relationship with Coach Kevin Norris and Coach Johnny Dawkins. They are the only school that has said I can come in day one as a starter and run the Point which is what I want to do. I want every school recruiting me to understand I am a true Point Guard regardless of how tall I am and UCF understands that already. I’m taking an official visit there first in September."

Indiana: "I recently was just offered by their staff and I am really excited about that. I want to see how they play this season and see where I fit in their program."

Georgetown: "I was super excited to be offered by Georgetown. They are a big-time basketball school and have been for years. It was pretty cool that I was offered by Coach Patrick Ewing on FaceTime. They want to bring me on a visit this season."

LSU: "This is another great program that has been recruiting me heavily since last summer of my 9th-grade year. I want to keep them in consideration."

Texas Tech: "I’ve heard from them a lot and want to try and catch a game this year from them too. Excited to see them play this year."

TCU: "I’ve been getting recruited by them extremely hard for a long time now. The great thing about TCU is that I can stay home and be a hometown hero just like Mike Miles and even after he’s gone on to the NBA, they want me to take over as the Point Guard. I really like the fact that they see my ability at the PG and want to use me that way. I will get a Billboard in West Dallas to represent where I came from and how other kids can see that as motivation."

Oklahoma State: "Coach Mike Boynton has been on me tough since the spring. He also wants me to come to play PG which is huge. He sees me as another Cade Cunningham type with a little different skill set but wants to use me at the PG just like Cade was used. I plan on making a visit there too."

Kentucky: "I speak with their staff every week. I spoke to Coach John Calipari this summer. He loves the way I play. He says I have a special skill set and I'm the best facilitator in the country when it comes to getting downhill and running the offense. I believe I can be used as a big PG there too like SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) for OKC Thunder. They haven’t offered yet, but Coach Cal is coming by my school in September to see me play. We are just building a relationship right now. I plan on visiting during midnight madness."

Pate speaks on playing AAU this summer with Baylor commit Ja'Kobe Walter and four-star prospect Kaden Cooper.

"Playing with Ja'Kobe (Walter) was great and Kaden (Cooper) was super fun. I didn’t have to have the stress of being the only player that could create so there weren’t any double teams or traps that I had to deal with. Super exciting playing with those two," he said. "You never know what to expect with us all on the court at once, but it was a great show every time we played. I will miss them next summer for sure but I’m excited about being the leader for next summer and putting the team on my back."

Playing for Team Trae Young on the Adidas circuit can bring a lot of attention, NBA All-Star Trae Young often stops by and gives long-lasting advice to Pate and other players in the program.

"Trae Young gives me advice whenever he’s around us. He’s been helping me a lot, by just letting me know I’m a special player and I have the tools of what it takes to be a pro at the next level. Also, to just keep working and not to get caught up in the success or hype."

1. Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana)
2. Skyy Clark (Illinois)
3. Jett Howard (Michigan)
4. Jaxon Kohler (Michigan State)
5. Malik Reneau (Indiana)

Class of 2025 center Francis Chukwudebelu is seen as one of the best long-term NBA prospects in the world.

The 6-foot-10, 215-pound center has a 7'5" wingspan and has blue blood programs including Kansas raving about his potential.

Chukwudebelu, 16, moved to the U.S. in 2018 from Nigeria and speaks on how soccer has helped him develop as a basketball player.

"I love soccer. Soccer is really big where I’m from and we play all of the time. I’m pretty good at soccer and it’s good for my footwork," Chukwudebelu said. "Honestly, coming to America is a big deal because it really helps me with my education and that is the most important thing to me. I am almost a 4.0 student. "

Chukwudebelu breaks down seven schools for The Athletic.

Memphis: "Memphis has an NBA Coach in Coach Penny Hardaway. Playing in the NBA is the ultimate goal, and he is someone that played in the NBA, and I think he could help me develop."

Kansas: "Kansas just won a national championship and every year they are in the tournament. They play in a big-time conference and one of my favorite players Joel Embiid played there."

TCU: "TCU is a really good school and they are close to Dallas. They had a really good year last year and will have a really good year this year. They have some momentum."

Vanderbilt: "Vanderbilt is a big-time academic school and they play in the SEC against some of the best teams in the country. They also have an NBA Coach in Coach Jerry Stackhouse."

Kansas State: "K-State has a new coaching staff and I have heard nothing but great things about Coach Jerome Tang and the assistant coaches."

Auburn: "Auburn had Jabari Smith last season and he is a player that I am the same size as and that helps because you can see how they used him in their system."

SMU: "SMU is the home school. I live in Dallas so if I were to play there a lot of my friends come and support me. They also have a new coaching staff that is really good."

Although Chukwudebelu doesn't have any visits set up, he plans on visiting Kansas soon.

"We are working on trying to figure that out now. I think I will go to the midnight madness in Kansas, and I will try and plan the others. It’s early so I have to take my time."