Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Austin, TX (Future150) -- When Shaka Smart first took the job at Texas, a few people wondered if he would be able to recruit and coach at the highest level. Fast forward to this week and both questions have been answered. Texas landed a very good 2015 class, and 2016 is shaping up as one of the best nationally as well. Throw in an upset of UNC, and it appears Smart has things rolling in Texas. So how will this next class keep things moving forward? Future150 takes a look at each piece:
Andrew Jones, #42 in Top-150, MacArthur (TX): The newest member of the Longhorns' class, Jones is arguably the most talented as well. He has taken his game to another level over the summer and is now one of the top combo-guards in the country. Jones can play either position, can get to the rim with ease, and is a great athlete as well. He could play point guard in Smart's system.
James Banks, #55 in Top-150, La Lumiere (IN): Texas is losing their entire front court after this season, so Banks may have the biggest impact next season. He is a very good shot blocker with an improving offensive game as well. Banks also runs the floor very well, making him the ideal big man for Smart and his up-tempo style of play.
Jacob Young, #91 in Top-150, Yates (TX): The first player to commit to the Longhorns, Young is a lights out shooter. Like his older brother, he is a bit of a late bloomer, and has shot up to 6-foot-2. His lack of size early in his career allowed him to develop point guard skills, but Young is a threat to go for 30 at any time as well. He should be a great four-year player for the Longhorns.
What's Next?
The Longhorns still have three scholarships available in this class, and would love to land another big man. Jarrett Allen remains the main target and would vault this class into a potential top-five one nationally. Another player of note is De'Shawn Corprew. The wing has recently opened his recruitment back up and Texas was involved the first time around. Smart still has ties to Virginia, where Corprew is from. A hard-nosed wing, he would bring something the Longhorns haven't already brought in in the past two classes. Regardless who Smart and company close this class out with, there is plenty of perimeter fire power and they should be able to score with anyone in the country.
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