Hoops Hot Board: Five 2019 Basketball Prospects at the Top of OSU’s Wish List

Oklahoma State’s 2019 recruiting class currently consists of two commits, Kalib and Keylan Boone. There’s only one scholarship available at the moment, and coach Mike Boynton and staff would like to fill that spot with one more talented recruit.

As we near the start of the early signing period in mid-November, I wanted to take a look at the top recruiting targets for the Cowboys, show which schools are in the mix, give my prediction, (which will most likely be way off) and provide a player comparison. I know there are some who dislike player comparisons, especially in relation to the NBA Draft, but I feel like they give a decent frame of reference for the skill set these high school athletes possess.

Armando Bacot Jr. | 6-10, 240-Pounds | Power Forward/Center

In the mix: Along with Oklahoma State, the five-star big man listed Duke, Georgia, North Carolina and VCU in his top-5 about a week and a half ago. Bacot hasn’t visited Stillwater, but Coach Boynton made an in-home visit to see him back in April. He hasn’t taken any official visits yet, but plans to take them soon and possibly commit during the early signing period.

Prediction: Bacot is far and away Oklahoma State’s top-ranked, most talented target. He would be one of the most highly ranked recruits to ever play in Stillwater and would mean a lot to the further progression of the Boynton-era of Cowboy basketball. Boynton and assistant coach David Kontaxis have developed a strong bond with the Florida product, but I think he eventually lands with Roy Williams in Chapel Hill.

Player Comp:  Jahlil Okafor/Al Jefferson

Avery Anderson III | 6-2, 170-Pounds | Combo Guard

In the mix: Anderson announced his final five schools yesterday which included Oklahoma State, Florida, LSU, TCU and Texas Tech. He took an unofficial visit to Stillwater in the summer of 2017, and has also made unofficial visits to LSU and TCU.

Prediction: At the start of the summer, all signs were pointing to Anderson landing with Will Wade in Baton Rouge. However, the momentum has recently swung completely towards the Cowboys. Currently, four of the six expert predictions have Anderson committing to OSU, and only one of those four experts has any ties to the Cowboys. My prediction is that Anderson will end up in Stillwater. I know Coach Boynton would love to get Bacot, but with the Boone twins already committed, I think he is looking for someone to add backcourt depth. Bacot would just be icing on the cake.

Player Comp:  Brandon Jennings/Kemba Walker

Tyrell Jones | 6-2, 172-Pounds | Point Guard

In the mix: There are close to 30 schools who have offered the talented three-star point guard, including Auburn, Florida, Louisville, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Western Kentucky, Houston, Wichita State and VCU. Although he already had multiple offers, Jones really exploded on the recruiting scene this summer. He has not taken any official visits yet.

Prediction: With all of these recent offers, I don’t expect Jones to make a decision anytime soon. He has a lot to think about now that the summer live period is over. About a week ago, Jones told Eric Bossi of Rivals.com he expects Auburn to be included when he narrows down his list of schools. With that being said, I think he lands with Bruce Pearl at Auburn. Oklahoma State offered him a few weeks ago, along with several other schools, and I just don’t think they will be able to build enough steam in the coming months to sway Jones to Stillwater.

Player Comp:  Dennis Smith Jr./Donovan Mitchell

Marcus Watson | 6-6, 205-Pounds | Shooting Guard, Small Forward

In the mix: Marcus Watson released his top ten last week which included Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa, NC State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas Tech and Virginia Tech. He’s visited Oklahoma State already and told Rivals.com that he regularly speaks to the Cowboy coaching staff.

Prediction: Georgia Tech Head Coach Josh Pastner is doing everything he can to keep Watson in his home state. Pastner has recently landed some highly ranked recruits, but not very many of them have come from Georgia. All signs are pointing to the yellow jackets, and that’s where I see him eventually committing.

Player Comp:  Jaylen Brown/Jason Richardson

Mario McKinney | 6-2, 180-Pounds | Combo Guard

In the mix:  This past Tuesday, McKinney listed K-State, Louisville, Missouri, VCU, Oklahoma State, Auburn and Iowa State as his final seven. He told Rivals.com that he plans to take visits soon and make a decision before the start of his senior season.

Prediction: McKinney told 247 Sports that he would like to be a package deal with his AAU teammate E.J. Liddell. Liddell hasn’t been offered by Oklahoma State, so that’s not a great sign for the Cowboys landing McKinney. I think McKinney and Liddell both end up at K-State. Mizzou has been the front runner, but K-State seems to have improved their standing as of late, and they also have an offer extended to Liddell.

Player Comp:  Jay Williams/Gilbert Arenas

Summary

As I mentioned above, the Pokes currently have only one scholarship available for these recruits. I think Avery Anderson is the most likely to commit out of the Cowboys’ top prospects. Bacot is the highest rated out of the bunch, but the four-star Anderson would be a huge get and a great compliment to the Boone twins as key pieces for the future of this Oklahoma State program. If Anderson were to commit to OSU, per 247 Sports’ Class Calculator, the Cowboys would have a projected team score of 52.65.  This would put them in the top 5 in the 2019 team rankings.

That would be pretty amazing for the second year head coach as he builds this Oklahoma State program for the future.