Texas Basketball Recruiting: Early look at 2019 class pre-signing period

What’s still needed

There are a few key losses that the Texas basketball program will have to deal with during the 2019 off-season. The most important of the losses, and one that was partly expected, came with the early entrance of Hayes into the 2019 NBA Draft. But, Hayes was anticipated to be a lottery pick in this draft, so his announcement isn’t too surprising.

Texas is also set to lose Roach Jr. out of the backcourt and senior forward/center Dylan Osetkowski. Both Roach Jr. and Osetkowski were monsters for the Longhorns during the NIT. It’s hard to imagine that Texas would win the NIT Championship without the consistent double-digit scoring efforts out of those willing seniors.

There is plenty enough signed to add to the frontcourt for next season, but there is still some help that will be needed in the backcourt rotation. Williams is a valuable add, but the Longhorns need more than just to-be junior Matt Coleman and sophomore Courtney Ramey to salvage this backcourt.

It is fair to state that guard is the biggest positional need by far left for this 2019 Texas basketball recruiting class. Only one guard is signed thus far, and Williams might be more of a wing than a true floor general. Outside shooting, high-ceiling pieces, and backcourt defenders will be welcome pieces to this signing class.