Wake Forest Basketball: Huge Recruiting Weekend Upcoming for the 2019 Class

The Deacs will be hosting a number of their top 2019 targets this weekend in Winston-Salem.

Every year there seems to be one recruiting weekend that stands out as crucial to how the class comes together. For Wake’s 2019 recruiting cycle, that weekend is about to begin, with a number of top prospects heading to Winston-Salem on Friday to see the campus/facilities, atmosphere at the Notre Dame game, team chemistry, and more. Here’s a list of the recruits to be aware of prior to their Official Visits and where WF stands at this stage in the cycle with each of them.

Anthony Harris

Background: 4* PG from VA, #64 on 247Sports Composite

Competition: UConn, Miami, Virginia Tech

Thing to Watch: Any sort of Crystal Ball movement to Miami, VT, or Wake’s direction

Anthony Harris was one of the first names in the 2019 class where Wake seemed to establish itself as a potential contender. Harris, a key player on a Team Takeover squad that won the Nike EYBL Peach Jam this year, is a fast-paced, versatile scorer that competes aggressively on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He has good size at 6’3 and can blow by defenders to create easy buckets at the rim for himself and open looks for teammates. Check out his most recent highlight tape below and you’ll see what I mean.

Virginia Tech has put in a ton of work with Harris over the last year and a few thought he might commit when he took his OV to Blacksburg two weeks ago. However, with Wake Forest and Miami still slated to host the 4* Top 75 guard in the next couple of weeks, it’s clear the Deacs are still in consideration as we head into a huge weekend.

Ismael Massoud

Background: 4* SF from NY, #125 on 247Sports Composite

Competition: Auburn, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Rutgers

Thing to Watch: Commitment potentially on the horizon...

Ismael Massoud is the ideal modern wing in the college game, with the size to guard multiple positions, the ability to stretch the defense as a perimeter threat, and get to the rim on the drive at ease. There’s a reason he’s picked up over 20 offers throughout the 2019 cycle and has had plenty of interest from High Major programs along the way.

Wake’s staff watched Massoud multiple times throughout the summer for PSA Cardinals, the same AAU program that Isaiah Mucius came from, and Manning visited him at his HS just last week prior to his OV. Shortly after that visit, the tides seemed to turn in the Deacs’ favor in terms of his recruitment, with multiple analysts from 247sports and Rivals.com submitting commitment predictions for WF in recent days on their respective sites. Top recruiting analysts Andrew Slater, Jerry Meyer, and Dain Ervin all released Crystal Balls for Wake this week, which could mean good news is on the way with the upcoming Official Visit... Stay tuned.

Jared Jones

Background: 3* C from GA, #180 on 247Sports Composite

Competition: Northwestern, UGA, Minnesota, Miss State

Thing to Watch: Northwestern interest after recent positive OV

Jared Jones was a late addition to the collection of Official Visitors this weekend, but an important one nonetheless. Jones is one of the primary big man targets on the Deacs’ big board, particularly with 5* C prospect Trayce Jackson-Davis now likely staying close to home in Indiana.

Wake Forest has been on Jones longer than almost anyone at this point, with interest dating back 3+ years. He released a Top 10 earlier this month that included the Deacs, but the main schools in contention appear to be Northwestern, Minnesota, Miss State, UGA, and WF. His Northwestern visit last weekend apparently went exceptionally well, and Wake will have to follow it up with a strong OV of its own if it wants to stay in the mix.

Overall, this is absolutely one of the biggest weekends for Wake Forest basketball recruiting this year. If Wake can land one of these top prospects, it would be a strong start to the 2019 class as the Deacs continue to build for the future. For all your latest Wake Forest recruiting news and updates, be sure to stay tuned to Blogger So Dear!