Final class of 2005 team rankings
1. Kansas - Bill Self continues to pull in nationally ranked players during his short stint in Lawrence. This year the Jayhawks' head coach proved that Kansas is a force from coast-to-coast by reaching into Alaska for the Nation's No. 11 player in point guard Mario Chalmers, Washington for No. 28 Micah Downs and Chicago for No. 6 Julian Wright. Just a couple of days before the fall semester, Brandon Rush got through the NCAA Clearinghouse and gave Self another five-star recruit on the roster. Southern California transfer Rodrick Stewart will be an impact player after sitting a year.
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3. Duke – The Blue Devils recruiting machine continues to roll this year highlighted by the country's No. 2 player, power forward Josh McRoberts and floor general Greg Paulus, both five-star prospects. To go along with its inside-outside duo, Duke also signed four-star center Eric Boateng and small forward Jamal Boykin. The wildcard could be Martynas Pocius who was one of the fastest risers in the final few months.
4. Washington - Lorenzo Romar and his staff landed some of the biggest prizes of the recruiting season when they convinced five-star shooting guard Martell Webster and four-star power forwards Jon Brockman and Artem Wallace to stay at home and play for the Huskies. Webster made the jump to the NBA and was the first high school prospect taken in the 2005 draft. Helping ease Webster's loss are point guard Justin Dentmon, combo guard Harvey Perry and Joe Wolfinger.
5. North Carolina – The signing of combo guard Bobby Frasor and five-star power forward Tyler Hansbrough have many making comparisons to the former Kansas inside-outside duo of Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison. Four-star guards Danny Green and Marcus Ginyard give the Tar Heels plenty of depth in the backcourt. The Heels added an in-state big man late in the summer in 6-foot-8 Michael Copeland.
6. Louisville – The future of Lousiville basketball looks strong with the addition of four-star prospect Bryan Harvey and fellow Rivals150 members Chad Millard, Terrence Williams and Andre McGee. The versatile group which also includes Jonathan Huffman and Kansas transfer David Padgett, who is expected to make a huge impact in the paint for Rick Pitino. His presence helps ease the loss of Amir Johnson (NBA) and Clarence Halloway (prep school). However, Padgett is now on the shelf for six to eight weeks with a broken right foot.
7. Memphis – John Calipari continues to bring talented prospects to Memphis, his only problem to date has been getting them on campus. Resigning with the Tigers from last years class are Robert Dozier and Shawne Williams who highlight the 2005 group. Also joining the fold are shooting guards Chris Douglas-Roberts from Michigan and Antonio Anderson. Those two, along with big man Kareem Cooper giving the Tigers plenty of fire power for the future.
8. Mississippi State – The Bulldogs dipped into Tennessee to sign twin guards Richard Delk and Reginald Delk. Both are four-star prospects and can play either guard position. MSU also added post player Vernon Goodridge on the eve of the early signing period. Small forward Bernard Rimmer signed in the late period as did the class gem Jamont Gordon, a 5-five star guard from Nashville. Gordon's signing vaulted the Bulldogs among the nation's elite classes. Jeremy Wise was added when McDonalds All American Monta Ellis bolted for the NBA.
9. Arizona – The Wildcats landed a big catch when they reached across the country and landed small forward J.P. Prince from Memphis, rated the nation's No. 21 prospect. As usual, Arizona did well in the Lone Star state where they inked four-star Fendi Obobun and four-star small forward Marcus Williams.
10. LSU– For the third straight year, John Brady has managed to keep the top in-state player at home and like his predecessors, Glen Davis and Brandon Bass, Tasmin Mitchell is consider to be one of the top 15 prospects in the country. The Bayou Bengals also got a major steal when five-star power forward Magnum Rolle committed to play in Baton Rouge. Three-star prospects Kentrell Gransberry and Ben Voogd and two-star prospect Alex Farrer round out the class.
11. Baylor – Four-star point guard Curtis Jerrells got the Bears off to a good start with an early commitment and when fellow four-star and combo guard Henry Dugat chose the Bears over Texas in a heated battle, it gave Scott Drew his backcourt of the future. With the backcourt set the Bears coaching staff stayed in-state and snagged a commitment from four-star power forward Kevin Rogers while beating out some of the nation's top programs to do so. Finland native Jari Vanttaja was signed in the fall.
12. Alabama - The Crimson Tide managed to land one of the most important recruits in their history when they kept the nation's No. 9 prospect, Richard Hendrix home after a hard fought battle with North Carolina. In addition, Alabama signed Florida native Alonzo Gee and center Yamene Coleman is a developing big man with a good upside.
13. Texas Tech - Bobby Knight advanced to the Sweet 16 with a host of unranked prep stars but with the class of 2005, the Hall of Fame coach could really do some damage in March. The Red Raiders have a gem in Terry Martin, who is expected to be one of the top newcomers in the Big 12 this year. California forward Dior Lowhorn is a bit undersized but empties his tank on the court. Late commitments John Plefka and Allan Voskull join Justin Wilkerson, Michael Prince and Dazzmond Thornton to form a very deep class.
14. N.C. State – Herb Sendek and company put together another solid class when the Wolfpack inked three four-star prospects led by small forward Brandon Costner who is the nation's No. 30 overall prospect. Mississippi shooting guard Courtney Fells is one of the top outside threats in the 2005 class and Pennsylvania big men Ben McCauley is a rugged low post threat.
15. Connecticut - The Huskies rode the success of last year's National Championship by getting two players to help the frontcourt, center Andrew Bynum No. 7 in the nation, and power forward Jeff Adrien. Only one will show up in Storrs, however. Bynum shot straight up the NBA draft charts and was taken in the lottery by the Los Angeles Lakers. Athletic California wing Marcus Johnson gives Connecticut three four-star commitments who are expected to be early impact players next season. Shooting guard Craig Austrie rounds out the class and combo guard Robert Garrison was added in July. Both Austrie and Garrison will be called upon sooner than expected due to Marcus Williams and A.J. Price's involvement with computer theft.
16. UCLA - The addition of power forward Alfred Aboya to a nice class that includes four-star forward Ryan Wright, small forward Luc Mbaha Moute, and guards Darren Collison and Michael Roll moves the Bruins back-to-back ranked classes.
17. Florida State - One of the biggest storylines of the late signing period for the class of 2005 was Montrose Christian power forward Uche Echefu. The four-star prospect picked the 'Noles over North Carolina and Maryland and put the team over the top and into the top 25 rankings. He's joined by four-star prospect and Cassan Breeden, a versatile small forward from South Carolina. Junior college transfer Jerel Allen has drawn rave reviews and should add some quality depth in the backcourt. In-state prospect Ryan Reid, a 4-star in-state get, failed to pass through admissions and won't suit up in the fall semester for Leonard Hamilton.
18. Notre Dame - Mike Brey continues his strong recruiting for the Irish and this year landed two four-star players in face up forward Luke Zeller and shooting guard/small forward Ryan Ayers. Crafty New York point guard Kyle McAlarney and Ohio power forward Zach Hillesland give Notre Dame four players to build their program around.
19. Auburn - In his first year Tiger head coach Jeff Lebo was looking to fill as many scholarships as possible with talented players and he did so with smashing success. The late decision by Georgia forward Korvotney Barber, the nation's No. 41 prospect, was the gem of a class which also included three-star players Joey Cameron, Josh Dollard and Rasheem Barrett. Auburn added junior college point guard Michael Woodard late in the period and Laurinburg wing guard Quantez Robertson.
20. Georgia – The Bulldogs signed the nation's top high school backcourt when they convinced five-star guards Louis Williams and Mike Mercer to stay home and play for Georgia but the Bulldogs knew Williams would look at his NBA options and signed guard Billy Humphrey to help ease the loss of Williams. Florida native Rashaad Singleton is a developing center with a nice upside, Terrance Woodberry is a versatile player capable of playing multiple positions and Kendrick Johnson gives the squad some immediate help inside the paint.
21. DePaul – Small forward Rashad Woods the nation's No. 44 prospect was a hidden gem throughout much of the recruiting season and DePaul pulled off a major steal when they inked the Texas native. The Blue Demons then dipped into Michigan and pulled out two of the state's best players in Jabari Currie and Wilson Chandler. All three signees have the chance to be early impact players.
22. Marquette – The Golden Eagles set out to land some backcourt help and rose to the task with impressive success. Two four-star guards, lightning fast Indiana point guard Dominic James and Wisconsin sharpshooter Wes Matthews highlight the list but Chicago native Jerel McNeal and Matt Mortensen will both push for early playing time as well. 6-foot-8 forward Dwight Burke was added late to the class and gives the Golden Eagles a reliable big man inside.
23. Miami – The Hurricanes didn't have to go far for their 2005 recruits all three signees coming from the state of Florida and two living in Miami. Four-star prospect Brian Asbury, an athletic small forward, and point man Denis Clemente both hail from the Miami area while small forward Adrian Thomas comes from Pembroke. Originally part of the 2006 class, Jimmy Graham re-classified and will come in with the 2005 group. The 6-foot-8 forward may be the biggest get of them all.
24. Pittsburgh - The Panthers started the class of 2005 strong with Tyrell Biggs, a strong four-star power forward from N.J. Then Jamie Dixon and staff landed Sam Young, a gritty blue collar big man from Hargrave Military Academy. Young is a perfect fit for the Pitt system. He's the gem of the class. New York point guard Levance Fields continues the Xavierian High School pipeline to Pitt. JUCO forward Doyle Hudson add depth to this group.
25. Georgetown - John Thompson III has put together his best class since taking over the Big East program. He went hard after combo guard Jessie Sapp, a talented 4-star prospect that shined at D.C.'s National Christian Academy. He's joined by jack-of-all trades small forward Octavious Spann, also a 4-star prospect. Three-star guards Marc Edgerson and Josh Thornton add some firepower to the backcourt. Keep an eye on Edgerson. He looks to be a major sleeper in this class.