Gerry Hamilton

I almost went with that lol

Love it! Haha

Men’s Basketball signs Marcus Spears Jr. The nation’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2027 reclassifies and joins the Longhorns for the 2026-27 season. AUSTIN, Texas — Marcus Spears Jr. has signed an Athletic Scholarship Agreement (ASA) to play basketball next season at The University of Texas, head coach Sean Miller announced Friday. Spears Jr., the nation’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2027, has reclassified and will join the Longhorns for the upcoming 2026-27 season. With the addition of Spears Jr. to the Texas roster, the Longhorns have moved into the No. 1 spot nationally by 247 Sports in the organization’s ranking of overall basketball recruiting classes. The ranking includes the combination of high school and international signings and transfer portal additions. Miller and the Texas staff have added 11 total newcomers to the 2026-27 roster. Spears Jr. (6-10, 210), a forward from Frisco, Texas, was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the nation by ESPN in the Class of 2027. Following his reclassification, he is ranked as the No. 4 prospect nationally by ESPN, No. 7 by Rivals Industry and No. 8 by 247 Sports in the Class of 2026. Since ESPN began its recruiting rankings in 2007, Spears is the sixth top-five national recruit to sign with Texas, joining Avery Bradley (No. 1 in 2009), Myles Turner (No. 2 in 2014), Mohamed Bamba (No. 4 in 2017), Dillon Mitchell (No. 4 in 2022) and Tre Johnson (No. 5 in 2024). Spears Jr. played his junior season at Dynamic Prep and averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while leading the team to a 39-5 record and a run to the Chipotle Nationals semifinals. Competing as FaZe in the Overtime Elite (OTE) league, the team captured the OTE league championship with a perfect 19-0 record through the regular season and playoffs. During this spring’s Nike EYBL circuit, Spears Jr. was the only player to rank in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding as he averaged 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Per ESPN, he is one of just four players since 2022 to average at least 20 points, 8.5 rebounds and one block in three straight EYBL sessions – joining Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer and Tyran Stokes. Spears Jr. helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 FIBA U16 Men’s AmeriCup in Jaurez, Mexico, on June 2-8, 2025. He started all six contests and averaged a team-best 14.0 points to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while earning FIBA U16 AmeriCup All-Star Five recognition. His older sister, Cari, is a sophomore All-American outside hitter on the volleyball team at The University of Texas.

I'm good with it. The SEC + ACC/SEC challenge games are more than challenging enough over a season. I would say you won't get much more than what you have in a non-con when in the SEC and having the SEC/ACC challenge. Probably throw one more high-level game into it. Memphis Georgetown Likely UCLA at Louisville (ACC/SEC) + SEC schedule As long as Texas gets 19-20 Quad 1 games by time NCAA selection does their thing on Sunday. I don't want a three game Maui scenario. Or Duke's non-con this year. Michigan didn't play a truly high-end non-con last year, and it didn't hurt them. They had Wake Forest, TCU, +SDSU, Auburn & Gonzaga in tournament. They had the Duke game during conference season.

Too early on chances. Beckham Black is top of the board, but a slight lean to Duke.

It's still TBD

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/46535988/boys-high-school-basketball-recruiting-class-rankings-2026

1

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2027-national-championship-teams/

What did you know? I'm curious!

lol. Cut off some toes?

Shaq 100% over Kobe on the Lakers title teams. Two greats of all-time, but Shaq was the most dominant/best player on the planet those years. Shaq averaged 33.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists in 20 NBA Finals games with the Lakers. He won NBA Finals MVP in all three. Moving on to next topic! Let's try and keep this the Texas Longhorns 2026-27 season thread!

Maybe, or maybe not.

I would say the difference between the fan base and coaching staff ... they don't believe there is a "missing" third big. That's more of a fan thing, than inside the building. They like the development of the two youngsters. I understand it from a fan perspective because they haven't been seen on the court yet. But that doesn't mean the staff doesn't really like where they can/are going in roles. If the staff didn't like Obiorah and Clark, they could have kicked them to the curb and used the combined NIL money to get one big that was a little older. Texas has a vision for those guys, if they stay on their development path the next few months. Texas moved on from a number of guys, but retained both. IMO, one will definitely end up playing a key role for Texas this season. For instance, if you are in a game against Louisville and Matas goes down with a rolled ankle... You better have some size and/or strength with rim protection to throw at Flory Bidunga in spurts. He's a grown man. There are going to be multiple opponents that Texas will have to have a 7-1 rim protecting Obiorah for key stretches against bigger teams. Or the 1.5 years of college strength gains and rebounding ability from a John Clark. Like a Missouri with Tiller, Jaylen Carey and 7-5 Trent Burns. Tiller and Carey are grown men in the paint. This schedule will require rim protection, size/strength combo and also afford skill and scoring punch.

Just to add ... Texas already has the most talented team in program history right now. Texas has never had 5 starters that are future NBA draft picks. And a top 8 that will play pro ball on some level long term. That's where the current roster is at.

Why I mentioned inside 15-feet for Peat. But Peat did have a higher 3% on limited attempts last season. Key with Punch, I expect him to make a jump to 30%'ish from 3 this year, and hopefully ascend 3-5% from the FT line. Texas is working with him on this right now and this summer. Getting the guide hand positioned/usage more consistent.

Correct. Marcus Spears Jr. is NBA draft eligible in 2028.

Just so yall know, I don’t have any other comment on this right now.