Rivals Roundtable: Predictions for 2023

With 2022 nearing its conclusion it’s easy to take stock of the year that was in recruiting. We here at the Rivals Roundtable have decided to look ahead instead of back, however. So this week, national analysts Rob Cassidy and Travis Graf take a peek ahead to 2023 and offer some previews and predictions on what the year in recruiting may hold.

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2023 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position

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“I have a hard time seeing Karter Knox landing anywhere but Kentucky as long as John Calipari is the head coach. Knox seems to trust the staff based on how they developed his older brother, Kevin Knox, into a lottery pick. Knox is incredibly comfortable in Lexington. In fact, it’s sometimes easy to forget he’s not yet committed when you speak to him about the school, based on the way he discusses the program.” – Cassidy

“I’ve had a Kansas FutureCast in for 2024 four-star guard David Castillo since June and still feel strongly about that prediction today. I hate throwing around the word 'lock' this early in a recruitment, but I’d definitely consider Kansas to be in a good spot here with teams like Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Oklahoma jockeying for position as well.” — Graf

“I think 2025 Tyler Jackson, who is already building buzz, is about to make even more of a splash and see his offer list explode. He’s already ranked in the top 50 in 2025, however, so while Jackson will definitely move up I’ll make a more off-the-board pick as well. Getting to know the name Will Riley might be wise, as the Canadian import is now in the United States and feels primed for a breakout summer on the grassroots circuit. Right now Riley is unranked, which will change in the coming weeks. He holds offers from Kansas State and NJIT, but that offer list will likely expand quickly in the year ahead as he has the versatility and upside capable of luring a heap of major programs.” – Cassidy

“I’m going to go with 2024 stretch forward Kuol Atak out of Texas. He’s long and lanky, and needs strength in the worst way, but man you’ll be hard pressed to find many better shooters in the class than this kid, especially at the forward position. His shot is a little unorthodox and has a slow wind up at times that will need to be sped up at high levels, but it goes in at a high clip. At 6-foot-8, he has the length to shoot over defenders and also rebounds and defends at a solid rate.” — Graf

“I really like how my pre-season prediction of Houston being crowned national champion this spring is shaping up. This seems like a place to remind everyone that I picked Kansas before the start of last season. So, fair warning: If I’m right two years in a row I’ll become totally and completely insufferable. The Cougars sit No. 3 in the current AP poll and have looked like one of the deeper and more complete teams in the country thus far. They certainly have the feel of a No. 1 seed at this early juncture, so the dream of back-to-back preseason bets paying out lives on … for now.” – Cassidy

“I’m gonna side with Rob here and stick with my preseason prediction of Houston winning the title. The Cougars sit at 13-1 and their defense is absolutely stifling while the offense is efficient. I’d like to see them knock down more outside shots as the season rolls on, but they’re one of the nation’s best at turning defense into offense. Marcus Sasser is the leader of the team, but I’m really interested in Jarace Walker’s continued development and how high he can climb draft boards. There’s times he looks like a lottery selection without a doubt. However, it looks like the Rivals analysts are riding with the Cougars.” — Graf