Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats among Xavier Booker’s top-10 schools

Xavier Booker, one of the best big men in the 2023 recruiting class, revealed his top-10 schools including the Bearcats earlier this week. Wes Miller is hoping to pair 4-star guard Rayvon Griffith with another high level prospect and Booker could be a name to watch as the program awaits decisions from a few recruits.

The other schools still in the mix for Booker are Auburn, Gonzaga, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Purdue. According to On3, the clear favorites to land him are Michigan State (89.6%) but Indiana, Notre Dame and Ohio State could gain ground as the 5-star forward continues to take visits.

Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats among Xavier Booker’s top-10 schools

"Booker recently talked to On3 about his relationship with coach Miller: “I really like his coaching and playing style too. I like how he lets bigs bring the ball up the court and let them rock out and shoot the ball. They’re free to put the ball on the ground, make moves and just create for themselves and teammates.”"

During his junior season at Cathedral High School, Booker averaged 12.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game and helped lead the team to a state championship. The Indianapolis native is widely considered a top-20 prospect but is ranked even higher on 247 Sports, slotted as the 3rd highest rated recruit in the country.

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Jamie Shaw, On3’s National Recruiting Analyst, broke down Booker’s potential: “While he is a more perimeter-based big right now, you see the ability to alter shots at the rim and rebound in traffic. He will need to get stronger and maybe pay more attention to rebounding but there is upside as a switchable type defender.”

The 6’10 power forward would be the 9th highest ranked recruit in school history if he commits to Cincinnati. Miller has to feel good about still being in contention for Booker, Isaiah Collier, Trey Green, Maki Johnson, Parker Friedrichsen and others but it’s all for naught if the Bearcats can’t convince a top rated recruit to join Griffith next year.