2025 Men's Basketball Recruiting

I didn't say anything about the Jordan Holiday Classic taking place in NYC this weekend because the Made Hoops website is terribly organized and failed to mention whether any of the games would be available on TV or streaming.

This morning I discovered otherwise: Adam Finkelstein of 247 Sports posted a highlight clip of the Boozer twins from their Friday night game, and said that games could be seen on the NBA app or the NBA's YouTube page.


FRIDAY: Columbus (FL) -- featuring 2025 Duke commits Cayden and Cameron Boozer -- played Bullis (MD), a team that includes 7-0 center Eric Reibe (2025 Connecticut commit) and 6-4 combo guard Adrien Stevens (2025 Marquette commit). Here are the full replay and the Made Hoops recap. I also found a box score.


Columbus came up to Baruch and dominated their matchup in convincing fashion, defeating Bulls School 70-44. The explorers had four players in double-digits with Cam Boozer leading the way with 18 points. His brother Cayden was the next leading scorer for Columbus with 15 points, while his high-flying backcourt partner Jaxon Richarsdson poured in an efficient 13 points on 6-9 shooting from the field. Caleb Gaskins did a little bit of everything on the floor, but his 12 points and 8 rebounds were impactful.

Jaxon Richardson (6-6 guard) and Caleb Gaskins (6-7 forward) are both 2026 recruits. Richardson's brother Jace is a Michigan State freshman, and their father Jason played for the Spartans from 1999-2001, winning the 2000 NCAA Tournament.

SATURDAY: Columbus (FL) played Long Island Lutheran (NY) -- Kiyan Anthony (2025 Syracuse commit) did not play, but the team also features fellow guards Nigel James (2025 Marquette commit), Kayden Mingo (2025 Penn State commit), and Dylan Mingo (2026 recruit). There's a full replay and a recap, plus a box score.


Long Island Lutheran pulled off their biggest win of the season up until this point, defeating the number one team in the country in front of a NYC crowd. LuHi’s guard trio of Nigel James, and Dylan and Kayden Mingo took turns carrying the offense at various moments of the game.

James’ defense is what initially sparked the LuHi offensive energy, forcing multiple turnovers or displaying the toughness to dig inside and rebound. Offensively his quickness and ability to finish around the rim led to him finishing with 18 points and 7 assists. Down the stretch it would be the Mingo brothers who would get it done late. Three point shooting and downhill creativity between the two of them made it hard for Columbus to keep their defense intact.

Kayden Mingo paced the Crusaders with 25 points on 9-14 shooting while Dylan Mingo added 20 points of his own, along with 4 steals. The Explorers tried to make a surge late, but couldn't manage to get key stops down the stretch. Caleb Gaskins led them in points with 21 on 10-18 from the field. Jaxon Richardson continues to display his overall productivity, scoring 19 in a variety of ways. Cameron Boozer added 12 points, with his brother Cayden adding 11 points with 10 assists.


SUNDAY: The event finishes today, and Columbus (FL) faces Link Academy (LA), featuring 6-10 post Chris Cenac, heading to Houston next year. That game will stream in about an hour (tip-off is 1pm ET). I've linked and embedded the video below, and you can also follow live stats.


Cam Boozer really is unstoppable. Might be even better than his Dad when its all said and done.
 
What has happened to UNC recruiting under Hubert Davis? They have historically signed top 20 players consistently but appear to now be settling for recruits in the 50-80 range. Based on what I see this season, their portal recruiting isn’t much better.
 
What has happened to UNC recruiting under Hubert Davis? They have historically signed top 20 players consistently but appear to now be settling for recruits in the 50-80 range. Based on what I see this season, their portal recruiting isn’t much better.
they aren't settling, they just aren't attracting top players (though unc is heavily recruiting them) because players have been getting stuck at unc and don't have good pro careers. They haven't had a high profile NBA player in ages.
 
they aren't settling, they just aren't attracting top players (though unc is heavily recruiting them) because players have been getting stuck at unc and don't have good pro careers. They haven't had a high profile NBA player in ages.
Agree and to overcome this major problem, Hubert will need the University Czar (Belichick) to release NIL $$ for b-ball recruiting.

Not likely to happen.
 
What has happened to UNC recruiting under Hubert Davis? They have historically signed top 20 players consistently but appear to now be settling for recruits in the 50-80 range. Based on what I see this season, their portal recruiting isn’t much better.
Ummm, on the current team they have two major stud recruits in Jackson and Powell. Both are OAD kind of talents who are having a major impact on the floor.

A year ago they pulled in Elliot Cadeau, who was widely considered one of the top PGs in the class (he reclassified too).

2022 was pretty "meh" -- though Seth Trimble has turned out to be one of those multi-year players who get better every season and are studs as a junior and senior -- but that was right in the wake of Roy's retirement and I think Hubert can be forgiven for not hitting homeruns on the recruiting trail.

Hubert has not been Scheyer (how is?!?!) but that has not been Carolina's recruiting profile for a decade or so. Sure, they land some stud OAD kind of talents, but not many as they mostly build their team about guys who will stay a bit longer in school.

Now, it is possible you are referring to the still incomplete 2025 class which thus far only features 2 recruits who are barely in the top 50. But it is worth noting that Carolina is still very much in play for Caleb Wilson, who would be their highest rated recruit in many years. He has UNC in his final 5 along with Kentucky, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCF (go Johnny!!).

It is also worth noting that you really should not judge recruiting based only on high school kids as the portal has become a huge huge huge huge part of team building and success. Carolina has done quite well in the portal at finding that piece that looks like just the right fit (for the most part).
 
Ummm, on the current team they have two major stud recruits in Jackson and Powell. Both are OAD kind of talents who are having a major impact on the floor.

A year ago they pulled in Elliot Cadeau, who was widely considered one of the top PGs in the class (he reclassified too).

2022 was pretty "meh" -- though Seth Trimble has turned out to be one of those multi-year players who get better every season and are studs as a junior and senior -- but that was right in the wake of Roy's retirement and I think Hubert can be forgiven for not hitting homeruns on the recruiting trail.

Hubert has not been Scheyer (how is?!?!) but that has not been Carolina's recruiting profile for a decade or so. Sure, they land some stud OAD kind of talents, but not many as they mostly build their team about guys who will stay a bit longer in school.

Now, it is possible you are referring to the still incomplete 2025 class which thus far only features 2 recruits who are barely in the top 50. But it is worth noting that Carolina is still very much in play for Caleb Wilson, who would be their highest rated recruit in many years. He has UNC in his final 5 along with Kentucky, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCF (go Johnny!!).

It is also worth noting that you really should not judge recruiting based only on high school kids as the portal has become a huge huge huge huge part of team building and success. Carolina has done quite well in the portal at finding that piece that looks like just the right fit (for the most part).
It's hard not to notice the misses lately for UNC. I'll grant you that they have a roster full of talented players. They have 1 fewer McDonald's All-Americans than Duke. It would be the same number if Cadeau hadn't reclassifyed. But they completely whiffed on an impact big man in the portal last summer and haven't landed an impact player for next season... yet. I agree with your overall position that they aren't exactly chopped liver in terms of talent. However, their portal additions have been more of a mixed bag. Manek, Ingram, and Cormac Ryan (to an extent) were wins. Christian Keeling, Justin Pierce, Dawson Garcia, Pete Nance, Jaelyn Withers, Cade Tyson, Ven-Allen Lubin, and others have been less than impactful.

I think it is a matter of time until UNC stocks up on talented players again through high school and/or the portal. If, for example, UNC loses both Jackson and Powell to the NBA Draft after the season, they will have a ton of open roster spots to offer to the top portal players. If Hubert Davis doesn't make it work with a bunch of experienced portal players, then I think that will be it for him.
 
It's hard not to notice the misses lately for UNC. I'll grant you that they have a roster full of talented players. They have 1 fewer McDonald's All-Americans than Duke. It would be the same number if Cadeau hadn't reclassifyed. But they completely whiffed on an impact big man in the portal last summer and haven't landed an impact player for next season... yet. I agree with your overall position that they aren't exactly chopped liver in terms of talent. However, their portal additions have been more of a mixed bag. Manek, Ingram, and Cormac Ryan (to an extent) were wins. Christian Keeling, Justin Pierce, Dawson Garcia, Pete Nance, Jaelyn Withers, Cade Tyson, Ven-Allen Lubin, and others have been less than impactful.

I think it is a matter of time until UNC stocks up on talented players again through high school and/or the portal. If, for example, UNC loses both Jackson and Powell to the NBA Draft after the season, they will have a ton of open roster spots to offer to the top portal players. If Hubert Davis doesn't make it work with a bunch of experienced portal players, then I think that will be it for him.
They do have a ton of spots for sure, but other teams are having a field day pointing out that unc is where OAD dreams go to die....their guys are struggling to get to the NBA, one after another. Meanwhile Duke and others can point to numerous OAD success stories, league all stars, etc.
 
I wonder if the UNC BOT has decided to emphasize football at the expense of basketball. We're not hearing any anxiety over there about the basketball team the way we did about football.
 
I wonder if the UNC BOT has decided to emphasize football at the expense of basketball. We're not hearing any anxiety over there about the basketball team the way we did about football.
I dunno, you get on IC (fun these days)and they seem resigned to their current status. They are still recruiting top guys (e.g. Dybantsa) but are getting little traction....should they not make the tournament this year, something could happen.
Having said that, if teams like ND continue to gift them games (giving up a four point play with a handful of seconds left) they will make the tournament.
 
Now, it is possible you are referring to the still incomplete 2025 class which thus far only features 2 recruits who are barely in the top 50. But it is worth noting that Carolina is still very much in play for Caleb Wilson, who would be their highest rated recruit in many years. He has UNC in his final 5 along with Kentucky, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCF (go Johnny!!).

There are 11 prospects left in the RSCI top 100 who have yet to commit to a school in fall 2025, including Chance Mallory, who decommitted from Virginia.

04. Caleb Wilson (6-9 PF): Duke offer, BUT 5 Finalists are Kentucky, Ohio State, Tennessee, UCF, and UNC (plans to announce in January)

05. Koa Peat (6-8 PF): Duke offer, BUT 5 Finalists are Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, and Texas

08. Nate Ament (6-9 SF): Duke offer

14. Brayden Burries (6-4 CG): Duke offer

52. Tyler Jackson (6-2 PG):

64. Chance Mallory (5-9 PG): decommitted from Virginia 10/29/2024

68. Efeosa Oliogu (6-5 SF): 7 Finalists are Alabama, Arizona State, Gonzaga, Maryland, Memphis, Oklahoma State, and TCU

69. Terrion Burgess (6-8 PF):

78. Maper Maker (7-0 C):

81. Aleks Alston (6-9 SF):

88. Jaion Pitt (6-7 PF):

This is a collective industry ranking from last August, so there could be some 2025 recruits who have surged up the rankings of individual services since then, or 2026 recruits (like Alijah Arenas) who reclassified to 2025 and would be ranked if RSCI provided more than 2 updates a year. Also, it's easy to imagine more committed players will be tampered/enticed with bigger better deals and flip schools. These are all pathways for any school, even UNC, to improve their 2025 recruiting.

Of the above players, UNC only has offers to Wilson and Ament. If Wilson commits to Kentucky this month, as many would believe, UNC theoretically has time to shift their focus to Ament. They can even see him firsthand, from a short distance; he plans to attend the UNC-Duke game in Cameron on February 1.
 
Across its several platforms, ESPN will offer quite a few high school games (girls and boys) in January-February.


We’ll get a chance to see the Boozers (Columbus HS, FL) take on Koa Peat (Perry HS, AZ) on Jan. 20. And four days later, Columbus will play perennial power Montverde Academy (FL). Columbus will surely be invited to the Chipotle Nationals, presumably in early April.

Per ESPN’s current schedule, we won’t get a chance to see either Shelton Henderson or Nikolas Khamenia, though the latter’s Harvard-Westlake team is nationally ranked and so might get an invite to the Chipotle (or otherwise-sponsored) Nationals.

Also, on the active SMU postgame thread, there’s been some thread-diversion that includes mention of whether Cayden Boozer can be Duke’s starting PG in ‘25-‘26. I’ve seen him (tv) a few times and have been impressed with his court sense and steady play. Some seem to think that Cayden and Caleb (if he returns) would not be adequate as our PG/lead guards next season. I’d be very happy with those two.
 
I want to be clear that I was not saying Hubie and UNC were some recruiting powerhouse, I merely wanted to push back on this statement by Luke that, IMO, vastly overstates the degree to which UNC recruiting has slipped under Hubert:
What has happened to UNC recruiting under Hubert Davis? They have historically signed top 20 players consistently but appear to now be settling for recruits in the 50-80 range.

It is worth noting that I am the guy who went on the Pod a couple weeks ago and declared that I think Carolina is headed for at last fives year of serious downturn in their program that will yield no more than 1 season in which they win some kind of ACC title or make a Sweet 16.
 
Ummm, on the current team they have two major stud recruits in Jackson and Powell. Both are OAD kind of talents who are having a major impact on the floor.

A year ago they pulled in Elliot Cadeau, who was widely considered one of the top PGs in the class (he reclassified too).

2022 was pretty "meh" -- though Seth Trimble has turned out to be one of those multi-year players who get better every season and are studs as a junior and senior -- but that was right in the wake of Roy's retirement and I think Hubert can be forgiven for not hitting homeruns on the recruiting trail.

Hubert has not been Scheyer (how is?!?!) but that has not been Carolina's recruiting profile for a decade or so. Sure, they land some stud OAD kind of talents, but not many as they mostly build their team about guys who will stay a bit longer in school.

Now, it is possible you are referring to the still incomplete 2025 class which thus far only features 2 recruits who are barely in the top 50. But it is worth noting that Carolina is still very much in play for Caleb Wilson, who would be their highest rated recruit in many years. He has UNC in his final 5 along with Kentucky, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCF (go Johnny!!).

It is also worth noting that you really should not judge recruiting based only on high school kids as the portal has become a huge huge huge huge part of team building and success. Carolina has done quite well in the portal at finding that piece that looks like just the right fit (for the most part).
Also worth noting that UNC excels at getting five years out of five star recruits (Bacot and Davis). Has any other school done that? (I doubt Jackson and Powell will stick around . . .)
 
Ummm, on the current team they have two major stud recruits in Jackson and Powell. Both are OAD kind of talents who are having a major impact on the floor.

A year ago they pulled in Elliot Cadeau, who was widely considered one of the top PGs in the class (he reclassified too).

2022 was pretty "meh" -- though Seth Trimble has turned out to be one of those multi-year players who get better every season and are studs as a junior and senior -- but that was right in the wake of Roy's retirement and I think Hubert can be forgiven for not hitting homeruns on the recruiting trail.

Hubert has not been Scheyer (how is?!?!) but that has not been Carolina's recruiting profile for a decade or so. Sure, they land some stud OAD kind of talents, but not many as they mostly build their team about guys who will stay a bit longer in school.

Now, it is possible you are referring to the still incomplete 2025 class which thus far only features 2 recruits who are barely in the top 50. But it is worth noting that Carolina is still very much in play for Caleb Wilson, who would be their highest rated recruit in many years. He has UNC in his final 5 along with Kentucky, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCF (go Johnny!!).

It is also worth noting that you really should not judge recruiting based only on high school kids as the portal has become a huge huge huge huge part of team building and success. Carolina has done quite well in the portal at finding that piece that looks like just the right fit (for the most part).
I think immediate recency bias might be coming into play here. It wasn't that long ago that Jackson/Powell gave Carolina their commitments as 2 very highly-rated recruits, but I think the several swing and misses on portal bigs this past summer, coupled with losing out on the Dybantsa sweepstakes ( to BYU!!!), AND Scheyer seemingly landing any recruit he goes after at this point...paints a more bleak picture than what the reality really is.
 
Part of the problem is that in today's system, where players are much more transient, you have to restock every year. I don't think UNC is going to be keeping top players 3 or 4 years anymore. An under achiever like Trimble has been, maybe, but not a Davis, Bacot or Paige.
 
I want to be clear that I was not saying Hubie and UNC were some recruiting powerhouse, I merely wanted to push back on this statement by Luke that, IMO, vastly overstates the degree to which UNC recruiting has slipped under Hubert:


It is worth noting that I am the guy who went on the Pod a couple weeks ago and declared that I think Carolina is headed for at last fives year of serious downturn in their program that will yield no more than 1 season in which they win some kind of ACC title or make a Sweet 16.
UNC is in the midst of their worst half-decade in recent memory. That all started with the 14-19 season in 2020 and includes the preseason 1st to out of the NCAA Tournament run in 2023. Going from that to a more serious downturn would be quite the decade. It would be best for Duke to help out by beating UNC as many times as possible, both on the recruiting trail and on the court.
 
Also worth noting that UNC excels at getting five years out of five star recruits (Bacot and Davis). Has any other school done that? (I doubt Jackson and Powell will stick around . . .)

Part of the problem is that in today's system, where players are much more transient, you have to restock every year. I don't think UNC is going to be keeping top players 3 or 4 years anymore. An under achiever like Trimble has been, maybe, but not a Davis, Bacot or Paige.

Seth Trimble entered the transfer portal on April 9 but withdrew and returned to UNC two weeks later. I don't see him as an early entrant into the pros, but I also can't assume he'll stay in Chapel Hill. Unless something changes, the backcourt next year figures to be Trimble, Elliot Cadeau, and incoming freshmen Derek Dixon (RSCI #57) and Isaiah Denis (#70).

I don't think RJ Davis was a 5-star recruit. The 2020 RSCI had him at #43, with individual rankings of #40 (Van Coleman), #40 (ESPN), #49 (Rivals), and #53 (247 Sports). At some point, Armando Bacot got 5 stars from Rivals and ESPN, and the 2019 RSCI ranked him #18 (ESPN), #22 (Van Coleman), #26 (Rivals), and #33 (247 Sports).

I've mentioned before that Davis and Ole Miss player Matthew Murrell (#41) were the only RSCI top 100 players from that year to play 5 seasons for the same school. (Everyone else went pro early or transferred at least once.) Bacot has a little more company in the 2019 class:

20. Josiah-Jordan James, Tennessee
48. Anton Watson, Gonzaga
55. Malik Hall, Michigan State
67. Eric Dixon, Villanova (redshirted as freshman, finishing his eligibility this season)
 
Seth Trimble entered the transfer portal on April 9 but withdrew and returned to UNC two weeks later. I don't see him as an early entrant into the pros, but I also can't assume he'll stay in Chapel Hill. Unless something changes, the backcourt next year figures to be Trimble, Elliot Cadeau, and incoming freshmen Derek Dixon (RSCI #57) and Isaiah Denis (#70).

I don't think RJ Davis was a 5-star recruit. The 2020 RSCI had him at #43, with individual rankings of #40 (Van Coleman), #40 (ESPN), #49 (Rivals), and #53 (247 Sports). At some point, Armando Bacot got 5 stars from Rivals and ESPN, and the 2019 RSCI ranked him #18 (ESPN), #22 (Van Coleman), #26 (Rivals), and #33 (247 Sports).

I've mentioned before that Davis and Ole Miss player Matthew Murrell (#41) were the only RSCI top 100 players from that year to play 5 seasons for the same school. (Everyone else went pro early or transferred at least once.) Bacot has a little more company in the 2019 class:

20. Josiah-Jordan James, Tennessee
48. Anton Watson, Gonzaga
55. Malik Hall, Michigan State
67. Eric Dixon, Villanova (redshirted as freshman, finishing his eligibility this season)
RJ Davis was a consensus 4-star recruit in high school. All 3 of 247, ESPN, and Rivals had him at 4 stars. He was a McDonald's All-American that year.
 
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