San Diego State Basketball Recruits: The Must-Haves

San Diego State has made a name for itself in recent years as a Basketball powerhouse and it looks to continue that trend with its latest recruits. Here are the must-haves for the Aztecs’ latest class.

The best players in the class

In order to compete at the highest level a team needs the best players in the class. Here are the San Diego State basketball recruits that fit that description.

The most important recruits

As the college Basketball Recruiting season enters its final weeks, San Diego State’s Coaching Staff is focused on a handful of players they believe can help the Aztecs take the next step and become a regular NCAA tournament team.

The staff has identified three main areas of need: shooting, defense and athleticism. They are looking for players who can come in and contribute right away, as well as those with the potential to develop into stars down the road.

Here’s a look at some of the recruits who fit that bill:

Shooting
SDSU’s shooting was awfully inconsistent last season, and that’s something that needs to be addressed if the team wants to take the next step. The Aztecs are targeting several players who they believe can provide a spark in that area, including sharpshooter Tyler Dorsey.

Dorsey is one of the nation’s top shooters, and he would be an instant impact player for SDSU. The 6-foot-4 guard from Los Angeles is averaging 22 points per game while shooting 52 percent from three-point range this season. He would give the Aztecs another scoring punch to go along with junior guard Trey Kell.

Other shooters SDSU is targeting include four-star prospect Kobe Paras and three-star wing Matt Bradley. Paras is a 6-foot-6 wing from Los Angeles who has skyrocketed up Recruiting Rankings in recent months. He’s now considered one of the nation’s top 100 prospects, and his outside shooting would be a welcome addition to SDSU’s arsenal. Bradley is a 6-foot-5 wing from Corona who is averaging 19 points per game while shooting 42 percent from three-point range this season. He took an unofficial visit to SDSU last month and could be someone to watch in the coming weeks.

Defense/Athleticism
The Aztecs also are looking for players who can provide a boost on the defensive end of the floor, as well as those with the athleticism to make plays in transition. Four-star small forward Makoto Hiejima fits that bill perfectly. The 6-foot-7 native of Japan is considered one of the nation’s Top Defensive prospects, and he would give SDSU another long, athletic body on the perimeter. Hiejima is also a very good rebounder for his size, which would be a key resource for an SDSU team that often struggles on the boards against physical teams like Gonzaga and BYU.

The difference makers

When it comes to determining which players will make the difference for your team, it’s important to consider what each player brings to the table.

For San Diego State their recruits for the 2020 season are no different. With a mix of experience and raw talent these players have the potential to make an immediate impact on the team.

Here’s a look at some of the must-haves for the Aztecs this season:

A point guard who can create their own shot: With an experienced backcourt, San Diego State will need a point guard who can take some of the pressure off of the other players. They will need someone who can create their own shot and get to the basket with ease.

A big man who can rebound and block shots The Aztecs lost some size when they graduated seniors Malik Pope and Trey Kell. They will need a big man who can help fill that void and provide a presence in the paint. Someone who can rebound and block shots will be key in helping to protect the rim.

A shooter who can stretch the floor: San Diego State lost some shooters when they graduated seniors Matt Shrigley and Dakarai Allen. They will need someone who can come in and provide instant offense from long range. A player who can stretch the floor and keep defenses honest will be a valuable asset for the Aztecs.

The ones to watch

In order for a team to be successful, there must be a constant effort to improve. This is especially true in college basketball where rosters can change drastically from year to year. With that in mind, here are five recruits that the San Diego State basketball team must sign in order to stay competitive.

1) R.J. Cole: A top point guard from the East Coast Cole is a dynamic playmaker with the ability to take over a game. He would be an immediate impact player for the Aztecs.

2) Josh Green A 6-foot-5 wing from Australia, Green is an elite shooter with great size and athleticism. He would be a perfect fit in San Diego State’s system.

3) Kyree Walker Another big guard, Walker is one of the best defenders in the country. He would give the Aztecs another perimeter stopper to go along with current standout Malcolm Porter Jr.

4) Jaden McDaniels: A 6-foot-10 forward from Seattle, McDaniels is a versatile player that can score inside and out. He would add much-needed size and skill to the Aztecs’ frontcourt.

5) Isaiah Mobley: The brother of current Aztec star Jordan Mobley, Isaiah is a 6-foot-10 center that is ranked as one of the top prospects in the country. He would be an immediate difference maker on both ends of the court.

The sleepers

sports fans know that the term “sleeper” can refer to a player who unexpectedly has a great game or a overlooked team that does better than expected. In recruiting, a sleeper is defined as a player who is not highly rated by the major scouting services but has the potential to be a good college player.

San Diego State has had success with recruited sleepers in the past, such as Kawhi Leonard and Malachi Flynn. In fact, some experts consider San Diego State to be the best team in the country at finding and developing sleepers.

The sleepers on this year’s list are:
-Gareth Jones
-Marvin Menzies III
-David sprinkled

The projects

San Diego State’s Basketball Recruiting for the class of 2020 is in Full Swing and the staff has a few projects that they are targeting.

First and foremost, the Aztecs are looking for a big man to replace graduation losses Jalen McDaniels and Nathan Mensah. They have already landed one center in 6-foot-10 Nathan Mensah, but they would like to add another big body to the mix.

The staff is also looking for perimeter help, as they only have two true wing players on the roster in Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel. They have already landed a guard in Keshad Johnson, but they are still targeting a few more wings.

Lastly, the Aztecs are looking for a point guard to replace graduating senior Devin Watson. They have already landed one point guard in Mark Mayanja, but they are still targeting another floor general to add to the mix.

The intangibles

In order to create a winning team it is important to recruit players who not only have the talent, but also the drive and determination to succeed. This is especially true in basketball, where the game is so fast-paced and requires split-second decisions. The following are some of the intangible qualities that we look for in our recruits:

* A good work ethic – this is essential for any player who wants to make it to the top.

* A positive attitude – we want players who are energetically committed to achieving their goals.

* A competitive nature – we want players who are passionate about winning and will do whatever it takes to get the victory.

* A love for the game – this is what will keep our players motivated and invested in their performance.

The fit

In order to be a successful San Diego State basketball recruit you must have a certain skill set and fit a certain mold. You must be proficient in ball handling, shooting, and have the ability to create your own shot. You must also be able to play both ends of the floor and have a High Basketball IQ. Lastly, you must be coachable, unselfish, and have good character.

The needs

In order to compete at the top levels of college basketball a team needs certain types of players. Here is a look at the types of recruits San Diego State will be targeting in order to fill out its roster.

-Athletic big men who can run the floor and finish around the basket: These are the type of players who can make an immediate impact on both ends of the court.

-3-point shooters: College Basketball has become increasingly reliant on the 3-pointer, and teams need players who can knock down shots from deep.

-Ball-handlers and playmakers: With the influx of talented big men teams need players who can handle the ball and make plays for others.

-Defenders: In order to shutdown opponents, teams need players who are willing to put in the work on the defensive end of the court.

The class as a whole

The class as a whole has good size and length. Three of the five players are 6-9 or taller with the remaining two being 6-6. That will help the team in both shot blocking and rebounding, two areas of need from last season. The recruits also have good athleticism with three of them being able to play above the rim. Altman is excited about the potential of this group and believes they have a chance to make an immediate impact.