Best Unsigned NCAA Basketball 2015 Prospects

By Andrew Musur on February 20, 2015

College football’s National Signing Day came and went two weeks ago. The day left some teams filled with hope for the future, and left a sour taste for others.

Though similar, college basketball is a bit different than college football when it comes to signing day. College basketball has two signing periods. First, an early signing period, which started on November 11 and ended on the 18th, and second, a regular signing period, lasting from April 13 until May 18.

A lot of this year’s prospects have already found a college home, but there are still very talented players left on the board. Here is a look.

Jaylen Brown, Small Forward, 6-foot-7

Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia

Ranking: Scout.com #1, ESPN #2, 247 Sports #2

Teams Interested: Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, UCLA

Jaylen Brown is one of the biggest high school studs in the country. Brown is ranked number one or two on any recruiting service you look at; heck, he is even at the top of most 2016 NBA draft boards. The kid can flat out play.

Fortunately for Brown his recruitment has been very quiet, leaving a lot of people wondering where the future lottery pick will end up. Brown is one of the most athletic players in the 2015 class. He has a motor that never quits.

My gut says Kentucky coach, John Calipari, will swoop in and grab Brown when it’s all said and done. I hope I am wrong and Brown stays home to play for Georgia or Georgia Tech. Regardless of where Brown goes, he will be an instant impact player.

Malik Newman, Shooting Guard, 6-foot-3

Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi

Ranking: ESPN #4, 247 Sports #4, Scout #8

Teams Interested: Kentucky, Kansas, LSU, N.C. State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State

Malik Newman is another guy all over 2016 NBA Draft Boards. Newman is one of the most prolific high school scorers. Great court vision and a knack for getting to the rim is why Newman is constantly ranked in the top 10 across recruiting sites.

A fantastic ball handler to boot, Newman won’t have a problem seeing the court next season. At this point in his recruitment, I would say Kentucky has a slight edge, but there is still a lot of time until Newman has to decide, so we shall see.

Ivan Rabb, Power Forward, 6-foot-11

Hometown: Oakland, California

Ranking: Scout #5, ESPN #6, 247 Sports #7

Teams Interested: Arizona, California, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA

Ivan Rabb is one of the most dominant post players in all of high school. Rabb has a great touch around the basket, and uses nifty footwork to set up his shots. Although Rabb is still very raw offensively, his potential is off the charts.

The 6-foot-11 forward’s best attribute might be his rebounding ability. Rabb has no problem attacking the glass shot after shot. The extremely athletic forward will more than likely stay on the west coast to play college ball.

Rabb currently has three west coast schools in his final five (Arizona, California, UCLA), and my best bet is he will be at Arizona next season. It would be great for Rabb to stay home and go to UCLA or California, but I just don’t see it working out.

Diamond Stone, Center, 6-foot-10

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ranking: Scout #4, 247 Sports #5, ESPN #7

Teams Interested: Maryland, Oklahoma State, UConn, Wisconsin

Early in the process many thought the Milwaukee native, Diamond Stone, would end up at his hometown school, Marquette. Things didn’t work out between Stone and the Golden Eagles, and that’s when his recruitment started to pick up.

Stone is an absolute dominant center in the 2015 class. Strong and tall, Stone has no problem bullying opponents in the post. He is a very special player down low. Stone’s recruitment will certainly start to heat up, but for now I think it is a two team race between Connecticut and Wisconsin. Ultimately, I think Wisconsin will be Stone’s destination.

Caleb Swanigan, Center, 6-foot-8

Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Ranking: ESPN #8, Scout #11, 247 Sports #14

Teams Interested: Arizona, California, Chicago State, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Mississippi State, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Purdue, UCLA

Caleb Swanigan announced in January that he would not decide on a college until after his senior year of basketball was over. Swanigan is one of the hottest names in recruiting. A 7-foot-3 wingspan and incredible strength highlight Swanigan’s strengths.

With so many schools interested it’s hard to pick the one he will end up at, but my gut is telling me Michigan State or Duke. I think Swanigan will be a Spartan next season.

Stephen Zimmerman, Center, 7-foot

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Ranking: Scout #9, 247 Sports #9, ESPN #10

Teams Interested: Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, UCLA, UNLV

Stephen Zimmerman is one of the best shooting 7-footers in the country. Zimmerman has a knack for hitting down mid-range jumpers, forcing defenders to come out and guard him.

Though Zimmerman could use a college basketball weight lifting program, his potential is out of this world. Zimmerman can run the floor better than any big man in the 2015 class, and has very strong ball handling skills.

Zimmerman definitely still has a long way to go, but there is so much time for the young fella to develop. In regards to who will claim Zimmerman as their center next year, well I’m going with UNLV.

Cheick Diallo, Power Forward, 6-foot-9

Hometown: Centereach, New York

Ranking: 247 Sports #6, Scout #10, ESPN #11

Teams Interested: Kentucky, Kansas, Iowa State, St. John’s, Pittsburgh

Cheick Diallo is an extremely athletic power forward. Diallo uses length on every defensive possession creating havoc for opposing teams. The 6-foot-9 stud is one of the most lethal shot blockers in the class of 2015.

Diallo still has a long way to go in his recruitment, so it’s hard to tell who the clear favorite is. If I had to pick I would say Diallo will end up at Iowa State next season–don’t ask me why, just a feeling.

Brandon Ingram, Small Forward, 6-foot-8

Hometown: Kinston, North Carolina

Ranking: ESPN #12, 247 Sports #12, Scout #13

Teams Interested: Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, N.C. State, UCLA

Brandon Ingram is going to be one of the best freshmen in the country next year. When you regularly draw comparisons to Kevin Durant there is going to be a lot expected from you, but that’s nothing Ingram can’t handle.

Ingram has a fantastic jump shot and ability to get to the rim. A truly gifted wing, Ingram will be fun to watch next year. But where will he be playing next season?

Most thought North Carolina was the obvious destination for the Mcdonald’s All American, but it turns out Duke may be the current leader. Since Duke seems to have a little smoke surrounding them and Ingram, I think it’s a fair assumption he will be suiting up for the Blue Devils next season.

Thomas Bryant, Center, 6-foot-10

Hometown: Rochester, New York

Ranking: ESPN #22, 247 Sports #26, Scout #33

Teams Interested: Indiana, Missouri, Syracuse

Thomas Bryant currently stands at 6-foot-10, but his wingspan is a whopping 7-foot-6 inches. Bryant’s length makes him a shot blocking and rebounding machine. His offensive skills could use some fine tuning, but that shouldn’t be a problem at the next level.

The Syracuse native recently cut his list down to three (Indiana, Missouri, Syracuse), and of those three schools I think it is safe to say Bryant will be attending Syracuse next season.

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