National Signing Day adds talent to several TCU programs

TCU Basketball signed a top 20 class Wednesday, and Baseball added a top five, as several sports held their Signing Day Wednesday across the country.

It was a good day for several Horned Frog programs, as volleyball, women’s basketball, and both golf programs added talented athletes.

Jamie Dixon saw two of his three commits make it official, as guard Francisco Farabello and forward Diante Smith both signed on the dotted line.

Farabello, a four star point guard, committed to TCU in October after taking his official visit. The 6’2” point guard, currently enrolled in the NBA’s Global Academy, chose the Frogs over Cincinnati and Davidson, but had interest from several other schools as he saw his recruiting heat up over the last several months. A native of Argentina, Farabello is a top 100 player who has about as good a feel for the game as you could hope. The experienced player is a great ball handler, creative playmaker, and good size. He should step in comfortably for Alex Robinson next year, and could be a great backup for Jaylen Fisher as he adjusts to college basketball.

The Frogs’ second signee is Diante Smith, a big wing with a smooth game and tremendous upside. At 6’6”, the three star prospect brings much needed size to the program, great length, and an aggressive style. Having averaged over 17 ppg as a junior, the Florida native is off to a strong start in 2018, adding to his all-around game by tightening his handle and becoming a better rebounder. A former Alabama commit, Smith looks the part of a ready-made college player, and should be a good complement as an inside-outside player in the years to come.

TCU also garnered a commitment from four star guard PJ Fuller, a 6’4” shooting guard who is the gem of this year’s group. Fuller did not sign Wednesday, but is expected to get his paperwork in ahead of the November 21st deadline.

On the diamond, the Frogs sport the country’s fifth rated class, with 18 high school commits. On Wednesday, several players made it official, when Armadillo High shortstop Rhett Maynard, Centennial right-hander Jacob Meador, third baseman Kaden Dydalewicz of Frisco, Lake Travis outfielder Austin Plante, Oak Ridge outfielder Logan Letney (the same high school that produced Luken Baker), Fort Worth All Saints twins Mason and Jacob Speaker (a catcher and shortstop, respectively), Owasso outfielder Sam Thompson, Missouri catcher Kurtis Byrne, Florida lefty Nolan Hudi, and New York outfielder Tim McHugh, made things official. Of course, this being baseball, things will change come the MLB draft, but TCU has the makings of a very special group of freshmen for the 2020 season.

Additionally, TCU Women’s Basketball added a pair of talented athletes in guard Tavy Diggs (Richardson) and Aussie G/F Madi Pulli. Pulli averaged 14 points and six rebounds a game for her Australian FIBA team, while Diggs has starred for Plano East, where she was 6-6A MVP as a junior when she averaged nearly a double-double.

Jill Kramer’s program had a big day as well, inking Waxahachie outside hitter Audrey Nalls, McKenzie Nichols of Southlake, Ina Ignacio, Bella Mae Swafford of LBJ, and Plano’s Julia Adams.

In golf, the men brought in three players (Aymeric Laussot, France, Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira, Argentina, and Chris Berzina, Trinity Valley) while the women saw Trinity King of Arlington Martin sign on.

What a banner day for TCU Athletics, who saw programs sign players from across the country and the world. We will update this post as more information becomes available - recruiting amongst these sports can be hard to find information for.