3 SEC basketball teams that turned out to be 2024 recruiting class winners
With the new college basketball season now just a few months away, all SEC basketball teams have almost finalized their roster. One of the powerhouse conferences, SEC has seen some impressive young talents emerge and few teams stand out as the clear champion of the 2024 recruiting class.
Every program has made significant efforts to land top-rated players, particularly those with five or four-star ratings. The University of Alabama, University of Arkansas and University of Missouri undoubtedly assembled some of the most formidable recruiting classes in the conference ahead of the upcoming season.
Top 3 SEC basketball teams chasing to be crowned recruiting champion
#3. Missouri Tigers
- Total recruits - 5
- Annor Boateng
- Peyton Marshall
- Marcus Allen
- Trent Burns
- T.O. Barrett
According to 247Sports SEC basketball team rankings, Missouri has the third-best recruiting class in 2024. Coach Dennis Gates, who enters his third season with the program, landed five freshmen along with five incoming transfers after most of the players from the previous season left the team.
The Tigers had a forgettable campaign in 2023-24, finishing last place in the SEC rankings without a single win. Coach Gates and his staff subsequently signed five four-star recruits to strengthen the squad. Peyton Marshall, a 7-foot, 300 lbs center joined Missouri from Overtime Elite. Similarly, another 7-plus-foot center Trent Burns also committed to the program.
#2. Arkansas Razorbacks
- Total recruits- 6
- Boogie Fland
- Karter Knox
- Billy Richmond
- Casmir Chavis
- Ayden Kelley
- Jaden Karuletwa
Coach John Calipari is not holding back because of his first season at Arkansas and went all in on landing some of the best young talents in the nation. Arkansas secured six high school athletes for their 2024 class, with three signing during April and the remaining three committing over the summer.
The trio that signed in April: Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond initially committed to Kentucky but decided to join Calipari in Arkansas after he moved there.
#1. Alabama Crimson Tide
- Total recruits - 4
- Derrion Reid
- Aiden Sherrell
- Labaron Philon
- Naas Cunningham
Alabama is the likely winner when it comes to the 2024 SEC basketball recruiting class. They have signed four recruits – including two highly-rated five-star recruits Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell – along with two four-star talents, Labaron Philon and Naas Cunningham.
Under the coaching of Nate Oats, the Crimson Tide reached the Final Four for the first time in program history last season. With the addition of young stars and several incoming transfers, Alabama looks poised for another deep run in the NCAA tournament.