
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'a Rawle Alkins (1) celebrates with forward Lauri Markkanen as the Wildcats pulled away late against Saint Mary's in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
National class rank:Ìý9³Ù³ó
Recruiting class:Â
Rawle Alkins, guard, five stars
Kobi Simmons, guard, five stars
Lauri Markkanen, forward, four stars
Keanu Pinder, forward, transfer
Dylan Smith, guard, transfer
Talbott Denny, forward, transfer
Freshman stats (career in parenthesis):
Rawle Alkins: 10.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 APG (11.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.2 APG through two seasons)
Kobi Simmons: 8.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 2.0 APG (one season)
Lauri Markkanen: 15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 0.9 APG (one season)
Keanu Pinder (as a junior): 2.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG (2.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG in two seasons)
Dylan Smith: Sat out season due to NCAA transfer rules. (4.3 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.1 APG through one season)
Talbott Denny: Missed season with ACL injury suffered over summer. (0.3 PPG in one season)
Analysis: Sean Miller's class of 2016 had two bright spots, with some potential for big contributions down the road. Lauri Markkanen played as advertised and led the Wildcats to the Sweet 16. It's no coincidence his lack of production — or even getting the ball — led to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s demise in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. The NBA lottery pick was among Miller's top recruits at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Rawle Alkins was the highest-rated recruit in the class at 21st in the country, and has been more than serviceable for two seasons. Alkins is a fringe first-round NBA selection in some mock drafts. Kobi Simmons opted for the draft after one season, but had potential to develop into something big at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. He was rated the No. 26 recruit in the country, after all. Pinder gave Miller some valuable minutes off the bench, while Dylan Smith (entering his junior season in 2018-19) should start to see a spike in playing time. Expect big things from Smith if the Wildcats are to be competitive the next couple seasons.