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Rival Views: Five-star commitment facing the most pressure to deliver

Rivals.com national basketball recruiting analysts Eric Bossi and Corey Evans don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate which five-star commitment will face the most pressure to live up to the hype.

MORE RIVAL VIEWS: Most important uncommitted 2017 prospect

BOSSI'S VIEW: MICHAEL PORTER JR.

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In my opinion, nobody will be more needed to make an instant impact than the nation’s No. 1 player, Michael Porter Jr., when he arrives at Washington.

The Huskies, at 9-14, are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the sixth year in a row. Making matters worse, they will assuredly lose their best player, freshman point guard Markelle Fultz, to the NBA Draft after the season. If Lorenzo Romar’s seat isn’t already hot, it will be on fire next season. For the Huskies to have hope in 2017-18, Porter is going to have to be every bit as good as advertised.

Here’s the good news Washington fans: Porter Jr. is that good. In fact, I think that the 6-foot-9 small forward out of Seattle (Wash.) Nathan Hale is further along in his development than any prospect in the much-discussed 2016 class was at this point last year. Porter Jr. can shoot with range, is athletic and can handle; he has future star written all over him. The Huskies should return some experience around him and his recruiting class is one of the top five in America. It wouldn’t hurt if Porter’s four-star brother, Jontay Porter, does end up enrolling a year early.

EVANS' VIEW: COLLIN SEXTON

Alabama sits with a top-five class nationally this winter and the primary reason for that is the commitment of Collin Sexton. Avery Johnson has been hard at work on the recruiting trail since taking over in Tuscaloosa three years ago, but the commitment of Sexton has the Tide on the brink of a giant jump.

Sexton’s on-court demeanor, playing style and competitive drive will quickly make him a fan favorite. His spirit should carry over to the rest of his team and trickle down throughout the rest of the program.

Furthermore, Sexton is a lethal scorer. He gets to the foul line with such frequency that it makes James Harden’s foul shooting look pedestrian by comparison. Alabama sits 308th in the nation in foul shooting this winter, so Sexton’s abilities should provide an immediate boost next season. The Tide's offense is fairly mediocre; the team doesn't even average 70 points per game. Bringing Sexton in, someone that averaged eight more points than his closest competitor on the Nike EYBL circuit last summer, should immediately revitalize Alabama's program.

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