Will Wade’s first high school class is complete.
It’s loaded.
Both 247Sports and On3/Rivals rank Wade’s first Tiger signing class No. 1 in the nation ahead of Duke, Kentucky and UConn. In his initial cycle last spring, Wade went international. With that loophole closing, he took to the high school ranks this time and did it as well as any program in the country.
The class includes two guards and a big. Reese Alston and King Gibson are dynamic backcourt players. Xavier Young is a reclassified post player with a 6-foot-10 frame and dynamic athleticism.
Wade has publicly stated that he felt the best way to kick-start the program was to mine the European leagues for willing college players. With the NCAA cracking down on eligibility parameters, that avenue appears to be closed moving forward.
No big deal. Wade can do it this way, too.
REESE ALSTON, PG
Alston is the son of Rafer Alston, who rose to fame as a streetball player called Skip 2 My Lou. He transitioned from the AND1 circuit to the NBA and hung around at the highest level for a decade.
Reece is 6-foot-3 and ranked in the top 10 nationally by 247Sports and Rivals. Kentucky, Purdue and Louisville were in the mix, but he chose the Tigers.
Alston is the total package at the point. He’s extremely explosive and routinely finishes above the rim off the dribble. He’s also quick with the first step and uses that to get where he wants on the floor.
As a shooter, he’s got a quick release and can knock down shots off the dribble, which is crucial for a point guard who handles the ball often. Like most freshmen-to-be, he’ll need to add weight, but he’s a college-ready player.
Expect Alston to immediately come in and help the 2027-28 team at the point guard spot. He’s a dynamic talent.
KING GIBSON, CG
Alston will share backcourt time with King Gibson, who can run the point or score from off the ball.
Gibson is a consensus top-20 player and top-three combo guard in the class according to Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports. He’s wired to score, and he does it from all three levels.
On his tape, you’ll see Gibson attacking the rim and finishing with jams, pulling up for 12-footers and swishing threes off the dribble. He’s 6-foot-4 with room to fill out. That will only make him a stronger player off the dribble.
The descriptors that come to mind when I watch Gibson are smooth and strong. He’s plenty athletic enough and often finishes above the rim, but more often he’s under control and intent on attacking. He’s also a really good shooter when he raises up from deep.
Gibson visited Louisville, Michigan and Arkansas, among others.
XAVIER YOUNG, C
Young is, well … young. He reclassified from the 2028 class up to the 2027 class, so he’s only 16 years old. That means he’ll be required to play at least two years of college basketball before declaring for the NBA Draft.
And he’s got that kind of ability.
Young is 6-foot-10 and already listed at 250 pounds. He considered Tennessee, Michigan and Maryland but chose the Tigers. Even with the reclassification, ESPN ranks Young the No. 18 player in the country. 247Sports calls him the No. 20 player.
He’s a top-five center.
He played for Team USA in the U-17 World Cup over the summer and was really impressive. Young is a true post player in that the vast majority of his scoring comes around the rim. He’s effective in the screen-and-roll game and is explosive when he finishes. That includes his ability to clean up missed shots.
He doesn’t do much in terms of creating his own shot or shooting from distance.
At 6-foot-10 and with his athleticism, it’s no surprise that Young is a good shot-blocker around the bucket.
I’ll be fascinated to see how much development Young undergoes from now until next February when SEC play begins. Manning the block with 22-year-old SEC bodies at 17 is a massive undertaking.
There’s no doubt Young’s ceiling is incredibly high. At the 5 position, physical development is so important. He’s got time to pack on some pounds and develop his game.
