Rating the Pac-10 recruiting classes for 2010

USC has the most commitments, but UCLA has a chance for another outstanding recruiting class. That’s the short version of the state of Pac-10 men’s basketball recruiting for the class of 2010 at this point.

A number of verbal commitments are expected to be rolling in over the next few weeks, so things can change in a hurry, but here are our rankings, based on commitments and the likelihood of landing others. Players can change their minds before the mid-November signing period, and players’ stock may rise or fall based on his performance in his senior high school season.

By no means is this a conclusive assessment, just a photograph of this moment. Arizona had virtually nothing in its 2009 class as recently as last March, but wound up with one of the best group of incoming freshmen in the conference.

Listed in parentheses with each player is his national ranking by scout.com, followed in brackets by his national ranking by rivals.com. Information on which players are considering which schools was gathered from those two recruiting sites.

1. UCLA has just one commitment – guard Tyler Lamb (60) [41], and if he is all the Bruins get, it will be a mediocre class by their standards. UCLA is the running for some top players, however. Harrison Barnes (1) [2] is the big prize, and UCLA is still in the picture for him, although Duke, North Carolina and Kansas are seen as the front-runners. But UCLA has a good chance to land guard Trey Ziegler (34) [26], is battling Washington for center Josh Smith (13) [19], is competing with Stanford and Cal for guard Anthony Brown (41) [62] and is in the mix for guards Ray McCallum (23) [60] and Vander Blue (27) [22]. If UCLA does not sign at least one or two of those, it will be a surprise. (Brown has committed to Stanford since the initial publishing of this article.)

2. USC – The sheer number of verbal commitments – five – is what puts new coach Kevin O’Neill this high. Only one of the five – guard Bryce Jones (67) [141] – is ranked by rivals.com or scout.com, however. The Trojans have some other offers out, but are unlikely to sign another ranked prospect.

3. Arizona State – The Sun Devils have three commitments – guard Keala King (65)[25], guard Corey Hawkins, and 7-2 Canadian center Jordan Bachynski. In a recent development, ASU could get guard Daniel Bejarano (43) [57], a Phoenix product who rescinded his commitment to Texas and reportedly will commit to Arizona State or Arizona. (ASU reportedly ended its recruitment of Bejarano since the initial publication of this article, suggesting he will go to Arizona.) The Sun Devils still have an outside shot at forward Tony Mitchell (47) [15].

4. Cal – The Bears also have three commitments – center/forward Richard Solomon (89)[101], guard Allen Crabbe (97) [102] and forward Alex Rossi – and the Bears are in a small group of contenders for both guard Anthony Brown (41) [62] and center Alex Kirk (80) [109]. (Kirk reportedly committed to New Mexico and Brown has committed to Stanford since the initial publishing of this article.)

5. Stanford – The Cardinal has two commitments – guard Aaron Bright [135] and center/forward John Gage – but Stanford is in serious contention for two players who could lift the class considerably. The Cardinal is among three finalists for both guard Anthony Brown (41) [62] and forward Dwight Powell (45) [23]. Landing either would make it a solid class. Landing both could make it the best class in the conference. (Since the initial publishing of this article, Stanford has received a verbal commitment from Brown.)

6. Washington – The Huskies’ only commitment so far is forward Desmond Simmons, who has slipped out of the rankings. But if the Huskies win their two-team recruiting battle with UCLA for coveted center Josh Smith (13) [19], Washington’s class rises several notches.

7. Arizona – The Wildcats have no commitments for next year yet, but Sean Miller did an amazing job of signing top players for this year’s freshman class after he was hired last spring. In the past few days, Arizona’s recruiting prospects improved when Phoenix guard Daniel Bejarano (43) [57] rescinded his commitment and will reportedly commit to Arizona or Arizona State. (Since the initial publishing of this article ASU has terminated its recruitment of Bejarano, suggesting he may wind up at Arizona.) Forward Terrence Jones (20) [13], guard Ray McCallum (23) [60}, guard Doron Lamb (26) [21] and guard Vander Blue (27) [22] are among the high-profile players considering Arizona.

8. Oregon State – The Beavers have one commitment and it’s a pretty good one in guard Ahmad Starks [132], but they will be relying on the solid group of freshmen they brought in this year.

9. Washington State – Forward Patrick Simon committed to Washington State when he was a high school freshman, but he missed his junior year with a stress fracture in his foot. WSU has a shot to land point guard Jordin Mayes [106].

10. Oregon – The Ducks have no commitments, but if they land the one high-profile prospect that seems to be considering Oregon -- forward Terrence Jones (20) [13] – it would be a good class. Jones is far from a shoo-in for Oregon, though.