UCLA gained recruiting momentum when it landed the best class of the Steve Alford era last year. But the who knew the Bruins were being so efficient?
UCLA was working on both classes at the same time considering its 2017 recruiting haul includes high school teammates – and in one case, a blood relative – of each of the three players from the 2016 class. Most importantly, the caliber of talent is similar too.
On the first day of the early signing period, the Bruins’ signed the No. 3 recruiting class in the country, according to espn.com. And that doesn’t include the potential addition of five-star small forward Kris Wilkes, an Indiana native expected to choose the UCLA over Indiana and Illinois. Rivals.com and scout.com rated UCLA’s haul the fourth-best in the nation.
The headliner is freshman T.J. Leaf’s former teammate, point guard Jaylen Hands of El Cajon Foothills Christian, rivals.com’s No. 26 prospect. Ike Anigbogu’s former running mate in the front court at Corona Centennial High, Jalen Hill, is the espn.com’s No. 50 recruit and Lonzo Ball’s brother, LiAngelo, is a 3-star shooting guard from Chino Hills High. Chatsworth Sierra Canyon power forward Cody Riley, scout.com’s No. 30 prospect, is the fourth member of the class and one of the best rebounders in the country.
Jalen Hands
Point guard
Foothills Christian High School, El Cajon, Calif.
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 170
Rivals.com: No. 26 overall
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