What Ifs and Almost Had: Favorite Recruiting Scenarios in College Basketball

When it comes to college basketball recruiting, the ‘what-ifs’ and ‘almost had’ scenarios can leave fans imagining alternate universes where top prospects chose differently. While some decisions are historical, others are more recent, sparking debates on how they could have altered the course of the game.

Summary

  • Tim Duncan almost at PC due to scholarship shortage.
  • Andre Iguodala, Al Jefferson, and Malik Monk changing commitments.
  • Scholarship clearance derailing Sim Bhullar’s Xavier stint.
  • Potential prospects like Russell Westbrook in different team colors.

Game-Changing Shifts

Recent favorites may have included Dink Pate, Gary Harris, and Jabari Parker, with fans speculating how their choices could have impacted teams and rivalries.

Near Misses and Historical Shifts

From Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Kemp to Brandon Jennings, each ‘what if’ scenario represents a missed opportunity or a pivotal career decision that altered basketball landscapes.

Recruitment Mishaps

Hakeem Olajuwon’s detour from St. John’s to Houston due to a missed airport pickup shows how small details can change the destiny of players and schools alike.

Reflecting on recruiting near misses and hypothetical choices, college basketball fans continue to debate and dream about the potential outcomes of these pivotal moments.