P.J. Fuller headlines list of TCU basketball recruiting targets

TCU basketball has seen a meteoric rise over the last few seasons, largely in part to the hiring of Jamie Dixon, and his construction of a top-notch coaching staff.

Dixon’s staff has transformed the on-court product, but it’s the recruiting aspect that will take TCU basketball to the next level, and the Frogs have already started seeing an improvement on that end.

TCU’s 2017 and 2018 recruiting classes ranked 37 and 33 in the nation, respectively, while both were the fourth best class in the Big 12 for their respective year. That’s a big improvement from the 48th rated 2016 class (Jaylen Fisher, Desmond Bane, Josh Parrish, and Kouat Noi made up this class), or the 68th rated 2015 class (which included Big Bad Vlad).

As TCU fans we all know that recruiting rankings are an inexact science, and that kids fall through the cracks all the time (hello, Desmond Bane), but in a sport where it takes just one or two players to change a program’s trajectory, getting elite level talent is the next step for the Frogs.

The Frogs don’t have a commit for the 2019 class, but that first verbal could be right around the corner. Here are some names to keep an eye on as we move into the fall. (All rankings are pulled from 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings).

P.J. Fuller | 4-star | Shooting Guard

No. 53 Overall, No. 6 SG, No. 3 player in WA

Fuller has been pulling in offers left and right, and now holds over 20, from schools all over the country, including Florida State, Florida, USC, Washington, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Oregon, UNLV, Arizona State, and TCU. He’s starting to figure out which school’s he’ll visit, and it looks like the only school guaranteed to be on that list right now is TCU.

In a conversation with Rivals recruiting analyst Eric Bossi, Fuller said, “TCU will for sure get a visit...There’s a pre existing relationship with assistant coach Corey Barker that goes back to before basketball. My mom and I will sit down and figure the rest out in a few weeks after I get home.”

Kira Lewis | 4-star | Point Guard

No. 30 Overall, No. 4 PG, No. 2 player in AL

Lewis released a Top 12 schools on Tuesday of this week, and it included TCU, along with Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Providence, Ole Miss, Iowa State, Indiana, Houston, LSU, Kansas, and Georgia.

Avery Anderson III | 4-Star | Combo Guard

No. 140 Overall, No. 18 CG, No. 10 player in TX

LSU appears to be the frontrunner for Anderson, but TCU, SMU, and Florida are all still pursuing the combo guard from Justin, TX.

D.J. Thorpe | 3-star | Center

No. 211 Overall, No. 33 Center, No. 16 in TX

Thorpe told Evan Daniels of 247 Sports earlier this week that TCU, Kansas State, and Texas A&M are the three schools he’s hearing from the most, and that he likes the way TCU develops players.

Thorpe has already taken an unofficial visit to TCU, and is planning his official visits for the fall.

Jacob Germany | 3-star | Center

No. 216 Overall, No. 35 Center, No. 2 in Oklahoma

TCU is the Oklahoma big-man’s only high major offer, but a solid summer that showcased his athleticism and high ceiling should have that changing soon. The home town Sooners are a threat to come calling - Germany officially visited OU Wednesday, but for now, the Frogs seem to be high on the 6’9” center’s list.

Issac McBride | NR | Point Guard

McBride blew up this week, going from an unknown, unranked PG out of Arkansas to having offers from TCU, Kansas, SMU, Oklahoma State, Loyola-Chicago, & Illinois St, all in the matter of 48 hours. Not much is known about the 6’1” floor general, but his turn on the Joe Johnson Hawks this summer has changed his outlook.