Texas Basketball Recruiting: Early signing day roundup

Texas had a big Wednesday, signing four players on early national signing day. The group was headlined by four-star SG Tamar Bates.

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Texas basketball had a big Wednesday, signing four players on early national signing day. The group was headlined by four-star shooting guard Tamar Bates. Listed at 6-4 and 175 pounds, Bates is the No. 103 player in the country according to the 247Sports composite.

Shaka Smart’s team currently has the No. 2 overall class in the Big 12. Only the Baylor Bears are ahead of the Longhorns team with the only five-star prospect in the conference in Kendall Brown.

USA TODAY Sports broke down each recruiting class within the Big 12. When speaking of Texas, it talks about how Smart is at the beginning of another rebuild in Austin. With so much experience on the roster, the sixth-year head coach will need depth throughout the lineup beginning as soon as next year.

Here is everything USA TODAY Sports said about Texas’ class:

Smart continuing to build Texas

Coach Shaka Smart’s efforts to rebuild the Longhorns are again in the spotlight, especially with the uncertainty of a veteran roster returning next season. Texas has six seniors and four juniors. Even though every player has the option to play another season, there is no guarantee the veterans will stay. Plus, freshman Greg Brown III could be a one-season star. That leaves lots of possible holes for Smart to fill and is why he’s loading up on talent with four players expected to sign Wednesday.

If Smart wants to continue to rebuild this Texas team, the 2020-2021 season will be a crucial one for him. With the veteran roster and the addition of Greg Brown III, it will be NCAA Tournament or bust for the Longhorns. Anything else will raise questions.

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