Ranking the 2012 WCC Recruiting Classes After 2 Years

We are at it again.

Less than a week ago, we released our 2013 recruiting class rankings for the WCC (which you can read here), just a year after they were eligible. It was fun composing and writing and I hope it was fun reading for all you guys.

I’m going to do the same thing for the 2012 class, with just a max two years of playing experience under all of the player’s belt. This is where transfer’s really come into play in the rankings, throwing a proverbial curveball.

Truthfully, the 2012 class was fairly weak, so don’t get your expectations too high.

If you notice any mistakes, please make them aware to me either by emailing me at joshhorton123@hotmail.com or tweeting me at the handle @westcoastconvo.

Anyways, Enjoy!

10. Saint Mary’s

Class: Chris Reyes

This one-man class will not turn any heads.

The La Verne, Calif. native spent the 2012-2013 season redshirting for the Gaels, and transferred to Citrus College before he was able to see any action as a Gael.

Currently, Reyes is signed with the University of Utah as a junior college transfer. The 6-foot-7 power forward still has three years of eligibility remaining.

9. BYU

Class: Jordan Chatman (LDS); Cory Calvert (LDS)

This class is largely incomplete. With Chatman never even setting foot on campus as a BYU basketball player yet, Calvert is the only player to see any action.

As a freshman in the 2012-2013 season, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 1.9 points in 7.4 minutes of action.

Calvert departed for his mission after the aforementioned season. He will be back in 2015-2016. Chatman returns for the upcoming 2014-2015 season, entering his freshman year.

8. Santa Clara

Class: Nate Kratch

This four man was the lone member of the Broncos 2012 class. In two seasons in the Broncos program, Kratch’s overall impact will likely come later.

After redshirting as a true freshman, Kratch made most of his contributions from the bench this past season, although the 6-foot-6 forward started five games for the Broncos. The Watertown, Minn. native averaged 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds this past season.

Nov 18, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA;Portland Pilots guard

(1) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans guard

(45) during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

7. Portland

Class: Bryce Pressley; Jake Ehlers; Oskars Reinfelds

Although two out of the three players transferred out of the program after their freshman seasons (Ehlers and Reinfelds), it’s the man left standing that differentiates Portland from the other three schools.

Pressley has made a big impact for the Pilots in his two seasons as a do-it-all two guard. The Sacramento, Calif. native averaged 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Pilots his sophomore season. Pressley, along with class of 2013 point guard Alec Wintering, projects to be a top backcourt combo in the WCC for the next few seasons.

6. San Diego

Class: Mike Davis (JUCO); Jito Kok; Calvin (Trey) Guidry III

Jito Kok appears to be the real gem in the 2012 class for USD.

Davis and Guidry played only one season each for the Toreros, with Guidry leaving the team for personal reasons and Davis breaking his hand before his senior season. Davis was decent during his junior season – 6.2 points per game – but injuries ultimately derailed his career.

Kok is the saving grace to this class. While raw offensively, the Dutch big man radiates potential with his big frame and athleticism.

5. Loyola Marymount

Class: Nick Stover; Taj Adams; Marin Mornar; Chase Flint (JUCO)

Only two players remain at LMU in its four man 2012 recruiting class: Flint and Mornar.

Stover and Adams have since departed from the Lions roster. Adams left after his freshman season, where he was a reserve forward that saw limited minutes in his lone season at LMU. Stover was apart of the mass exodus of players that left the university this offseason amidst the head coaching transition from Max Good to Mike Dunlap.

Mornar and Flint remain on the roster. Mornar, who is entering his junior season, fits the bill of an athletic big man with a shot blocking presence in the interior. Flint – who is entering his senior season and will be the only senior on the Lions roster -has battled injuries, but when healthy the 6-foot-1 guard has been a solid lead man for the Lions.

March 10, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco Dons guard/forward Tim Derksen (32) dribbles against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

4. San Francisco

Class: Tao Xu; Matt Christiansen; Avry Holmes; Joe Edmonds, Frank Rogers; Tim Derksen

A year ago, this class would be have easily been in the top three and would have made serious push for the top spot. Transfers have gotten in the way, however.

Out of the six players included in this mega class, only two remain – Derksen and Christiansen. Edmonds and Rogers transferred out after one season, landing at Wesleyan and San Jose State respectively. Holmes transferred this offseason to Clemson, reportedly seeking to play at a big school in a major conference. Xu left USF midseason to pursue professional opportunities overseas.

Derksen and Christiansen are no slouches, however. Derksen has been a key player for the Dons off the bench, averaging 9.0 points and 3.2 rebounds this past season. Christiansen is still searching for more playing time, but should improve off his 2.1 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game when that comes.

3. Pacific

Class: Tony Gill (JUCO); Aaron Short (JUCO); Sama Taku (JUCO)

The Tigers are infamous for building and rebuilding their rosters with junior college players. Their 2012 class is a great example of this.

Gill, Short and Taku all hail from junior colleges and have been large contributors for Pacific in their two seasons in Stockton. Gill was a team leader this past season and led the team in scoring (11.4 points per game) and rebounding (5.9 rebounds per game).

Taku, while he went through his up’s and down’s his senior season, averaged 11.1 points and 4.0 rebounds this past season.

After redshirting his first season on campus due to injury issues, Short averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in a reserve role during 2013-2014.

2. Gonzaga

Class: Przemek Karnowski

Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd struck gold oversea’s once again, bringing Polish center Przemek Karnowski to GU.

Karnowski was forced to sit and watch during the majority of his senior season due to the emergence of Kelly Olynyk, but during his sophomore season, the 7-foot-1 center emerged into a premier player within the conference.

The Torun, Poland native averaged 10.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks this past season, reinforcing the aforementioned notion.

1. Pepperdine

Jan 9, 2014; Provo, UT, USA; Pepperdine Waves forward Stacy Davis (5) dribbling the ball against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at Marriott Center. Brigham Young Cougars won the game 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Class: Stacy Davis; Malte Kramer; Jett Raines; Atif Russell

By landing arguably the best WCC player in the 2012 class, Pepperdine’s 2012 recruiting class trumps all others.

Davis, who averaged 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds this past season, has been dominant in the WCC ever since he entered the conference two years ago as a freshman.

Davis’ fellow freshman peers – Raines and Russell – both played well in limited starting roles this past season. Each will play a distinct role in the Waves growth the next two seasons.

Kramer, who graduated this spring as Valedictorian, was a great 3-point shooter his senior season at Pepperdine (44.8 3P%).