Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Basketball Recruiting: Bruins Have the Top 2017 Class in the Nation

By Mike Regalado

Jan 23, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford walks on the side line against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford walks on the side line against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the commitment of 4-star PF Cody Riley, the UCLA Basketball team has captured the #1 recruiting class in the nation for 2017, according to 247 Sports.

Things are really looking up for the UCLA Basketball team, especially in regards to recruiting.  This year, Bruin Head Coach Steve Alford was able to snag one of the Top 5 classes in the country bringing in Lonzo Ball, T.J. Leaf and Ike Anigbogu.

As of yesterday, after the Bruins secured a commitment from the top power forward in the state of California from Cody Riley for the 2017 class. That lifted the Bruins to the #1 spot in the nation per 247 Sports.

Related Story: BOOM! 4-star PF Cody Riley Commits to UCLA

Currently, the Top 5 are as follows: #1 UCLA, #2 Auburn, #3 Arizona, #4 Xavier and #5 Washington.

Sos far for 2017, UCLA has secured commitments from Riley, 4-star PG Jaylen Hands, 4-star C Jalen Hill and 3-star SG LiAngelo Ball (all ratings per 247 Sports). The best part is that Alford and Co. are not done yet.

UCLA still has top players on their radar like Brandon McCoy (Cathedral Catholic HS/San Diego, CA, 5* C), Kris Wilkes (North Central HS/Indianapolis, IN, 5* SF) and Charles O’Bannon, Jr. (Bishop Gorman HS/ Las Vegas, NV, 4* SF). Just imagine UCLA getting one of these players, that would bring in an incredible class for 2017.

This year, the Bruins are expected to improve off of their 15-17 record from last season and should do so with the help of their talented freshmen. Already there are several outlets predicting the improvement of the Bruins, with a few having UCLA in their preseason Top 15.

Next: Steve Alford Talks to the Media, Previews the Season

More from Go Joe Bruin

Now if Alford can get the Bruins winning again, then recruiting will improve that much more. That will set a solid foundation for the seasons after 2017. Well played, Alford. Well played.