Auburn basketball has found a lot of success with guard-heavy rotations and versatile bigs, and a closer look at their 2019 recruiting class, and who Auburn is targeting in 2020 and 2021, suggests that roster type will continue.
Let’s start with the 2019 class.
Jaylin Williams (F – 6’7, 215 lbs, Consensus top-120 4-star)
Williams committed to the Tigers on September 15 after visiting Auburn during a football game.
He is ranked in the top-100 on Rivals and 247Sports but comes in at No. 120 on 247’s overall composite ranking.
Williams has the potential to be a great fit for the Tigers thanks to his ability to defend multiple positions and score at all three levels.
On January 5, Williams scored 32 points while getting 17 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Four days later he recorded a triple-double in addition to six blocks.
Williams then set a career high in rebounds on January 19 with 21 rebounds in addition to 29 points, eight assists and seven blocks.
Isaac Okoro (F – 6’6, 215 lbs, Consensus top-50 4-star)
Okoro was considered the No. 1 recruit in Georgia before Anthony Edwards reclassified. He is arguably one of the best overall defenders in the 2019 class, and he is Auburn’s highest-rated signee for 2019.
Okoro’s defense was on full display at the City of Palms tournament back in December.
Trendon Watford scored 38 points in route to an upset over IMG Academy, and then Okoro shut Watford down in the next game.
He only gave up seven points to Watford, holding him to one made shot on 14% shooting for the entire night.
Okoro has played with fellow Auburn commit, Babatunde Akingbola, at McEachern high school and on the AOT AAU team.
Okoro still plays with McEachern, a public school outside of Atlanta, and has helped the Indians reach a perfect 27-0 regular season record, a No. 1 national ranking and this season they have already won the City of Palms tournament, the Bass Pro Shop Tournament of Champions and a HoopHall Classic game.
Okoro scored in double-figures in every game during the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions and capped off his performance with a double-double against Sunrise Christian Academy in the championship game.
Babatunde Akingbola (F/C – 6’8, 220 lbs, Rivals 4-star)
Akingbola, nicknamed “Stretch” is also a part of Auburn’s 2019 class.
He was a force on the Nike AAU circuit, leading the Peach Jam in blocks in 2018 while playing with Okoro and a few of Auburn’s 2020 targets on the Athletes of Tomorrow.
When McEachern played North Cobb in January of 2018, Akingbola had 10 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks.
Akingbola also picked up defensive awards in AAU sessions such as Nike EYBL Atlanta Defensive Player of the Session in May of 2018.
In addition to blocking shots, Akingbola has the athleticism to run the floor and can even step out and knock down jump shots.
Tyrell Jones (G – 6’1, 170 lbs, Consensus top-100 4-star)
Jones committed to Auburn after racking up 30+ offers and becoming one of last summer’s hottest recruits.
On January 17, Jones and Okoro were nominated as a potential McDonald’s All-American Game candidates.
Speaking with Jones after he played LaMelo Ball’s Spire team helped show how excited the 2019 class is to play together at Auburn.
“I see myself and this class fitting together really well,” Jones said. “Those are my boys. I see myself fitting right in with them.”
In addition to having a solid senior season, Jones has spent a lot of time watching Auburn games and tape of Bryce Brown and Jared Harper in order to prepare himself for his transition to Auburn.
“I love watching this [current Auburn] team play,” Jones said. “They have good chemistry, they love to play together, and as I’m watching I’m learning.”
On January 15, Jones had 24 points and five assists for West Oaks as they beat Victory Rock in their conference opener.
On January 28, West Oaks Academy played historic powerhouse Oak Hill Academy.
This game featured a matchup between Tyrell Jones and the top-rated point guard, and 2019’s No. 2 overall recruit, Cole Anthony.
Jones and West Oaks kept the game competitive, but Oak Hill was able to pull away. Jones finished the game with 17 points and a handful of rebounds and assists.
Jones is shooting over 40 percent from three this season and over 90 percent from the free throw line.
“Turbo” is Jones’ nickname, and he seems to have the tools to get to the rim in addition to being a good shooter and playmaker in a fast-paced offense while being a solid on-ball defender.
Allen Flanigan (Wing – 6-5, 200 lbs, ESPN 4-star)
Flanigan committed to Auburn in early August of 2018, and has started to open some eyes with what is hopefully a healthy season ahead of him.
He is averaging over 25 points, four assists and six rebounds per game in 2019 for Little Rock Parkview, helping him make a case for the Arkansas Boys’ Player of the Year.
Flanigan hasn’t received much love from recruiting services with injuries hurting his exposure. If healthy, he has the size and athleticism to put together a good college career.
This was on full display in early February when Flanigan scored 49 points in a single game against Sylvan Hills.
Flanigan is the son of current Auburn assistant coach Wes Flanigan, who played at Auburn in the 90s.