Top 8 Five-Star Recruits Who Didn’t Live Up to the Hype in College Basketball
In the world of college basketball, the term “five-star recruit” carries immense weight. These athletes are often heralded as the future of the sport, expected to lead their teams to glory and make significant impacts on the court. However, not every five-star recruit fulfills these lofty expectations. In this article, we explore eight such recruits whose college careers didn’t quite match the hype, including Duke’s own Khaman Maluach.
1. Khaman Maluach – Duke University
Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan, was one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2024 recruiting class. After a standout performance in the Basketball Africa League, he committed to Duke, joining a star-studded freshman class. Despite his physical attributes and potential, Maluach’s college career was marked by inconsistency. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, starting every game during Duke’s Final Four run. While these numbers are respectable, they fell short of the dominant presence many anticipated from a top-five recruit.
2. Harry Giles – Duke University
Harry Giles entered Duke as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2016 class. However, knee injuries plagued his college career, limiting his explosiveness and overall impact. Giles averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in his lone season with the Blue Devils, a far cry from the dominant force he was projected to be.
3. Jahlil Okafor – Duke University
Jahlil Okafor was a dominant force in college basketball, leading Duke to a national championship in 2015. While his college career was successful, his transition to the NBA was less than stellar. Okafor struggled to adapt to the professional game, leading to a relatively short and underwhelming NBA career.
4. Josh Selby – University of Kansas
Josh Selby was a highly touted recruit who committed to Kansas in 2010. However, his college career was marred by inconsistency and off-court issues. Selby averaged 7.9 points per game in his lone season with the Jayhawks, falling short of the expectations set for him as a five-star recruit.
5. Renardo Sidney – Mississippi State University
Renardo Sidney was a five-star recruit who committed to Mississippi State in 2009. Despite his talent, Sidney’s college career was hindered by academic and disciplinary issues. He averaged 15.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in his two seasons with the Bulldogs but never reached the potential many had envisioned for him.
6. Cliff Alexander – University of Kansas
Cliff Alexander was a five-star recruit who committed to Kansas in 2014. His college career was cut short due to eligibility issues, limiting his impact on the court. Alexander averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in his lone season with the Jayhawks, a modest contribution for a player of his caliber.
7. Andrew Harrison – University of Kentucky
Andrew Harrison was a five-star recruit who committed to Kentucky in 2013. While he had a successful college career, leading the Wildcats to a national championship game, his individual performance didn’t match the expectations set for him as a top recruit. Harrison averaged 9.3 points and 3.8 assists per game over two seasons with Kentucky.
8. BJ Mullens – Ohio State University
BJ Mullens was a five-star recruit who committed to Ohio State in 2008. His college career was underwhelming, as he averaged 8.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in his lone season with the Buckeyes. Mullens’ performance didn’t align with the high expectations set for him as a top recruit.
