Ohio State's top-10 class is complete.
Four-star forward E.J. Liddell inked his signature Monday night, joining four-star forward Alonzo Gaffney and five-star point guard D.J. Carton, and becoming the third and final piece of Ohio State's class. The Buckeyes' class is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation.
It’s OFFICIAL! @EasyE2432 signs his NLI w @OhioStateHoops Congratulations to EJ, his family, and #OhioStateNation pic.twitter.com/8wp5SnHZRm
— BW Athletics (@BWestAthletics) November 20, 2018
The Liddell File
- CLASS: 2019
- SIZE: 6-foot-6, 220 pounds
- POS: PF
- SCHOOL: Belleville West (Illinois)
- COMPOSITE RATING: ★★★★
- COMPOSITE RANK: 48
Liddell is the lowest-ranked prospect in Ohio State's three-player 2019 recruiting class, but that's not a negative considering Carton is a five-star prospect and Gaffney was once a five-star player. Liddell, who plays for Belleville West in Illinois, is the No. 48 overall prospect in the country and the 10th-best power forward in the country. He's the top prospect in Illinois.
Liddell, Gaffney and Carton combine to make up Chris Holtmann's first top-10 recruiting class as a coach. The group is also the top-ranked recruiting class in the Big Ten. It will be Holtmann's second top class in the conference after the 2017 class of Kaleb Wesson, Kyle Young and Musa Jallow ranked first.
Liddell and Gaffney will be key cogs in a deep frontcourt next year. All three starting forwards – Andre Wesson, Kyle Young and Kaleb Wesson – are expected to return for the 2019-20 season. Jaedon LeDee will also be in the mix.
Thursday morning, Liddell, Gaffney and Carton were each selected to the 2019 Naismith High School Boys’ Watch List.
