2018 four-star Jerome Hunter includes Xavier in his Top 5

Corey Evans of Rivals.com reported Monday that a 2018 small forward has included a Big East school in his Top 5.

Pickerington, Ohio’s Jerome Hunter, a four-star in the class of 2018, has the Xavier Musketeers among his Top 5 choices. The 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward also included the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, Indiana Hoosiers and Pittsburgh Panthers as well, staying extremely local with schools in state and in bordering states as well.

Hunter stands as one of the best players in the state of Ohio to this point. He ranks fifth among 2018 recruits, with fellow four-stars Darius Bazley, Pete Nance, Dwayne Cohill and Dane Goodwin ahead of him. Hunter is the 34th-ranked small forward in 2018 and the 123rd overall recruit in America.

Right now, per his 247Sports Crystal Ball, Michigan is thought to be the leader for the Pickerington North forward with Ohio State behind them. Granted, a pick hasn’t been made since May 2, but what’s been done has been done. Whether the Wolverines stay in front is yet to be seen, but it will be intriguing to see how this plays out for Xavier.

The Musketeers have no commits so far for 2018 and are pursuing a variety of small forwards right now. Cole Swider comes to mind, as the four-star is currently on X’s campus as part of his scheduled visit. Isaiah Mucius and the aforementioned Bazley, who of course decommitted from Ohio State recently, are on X’s board along with Atlanta’s Isaiah Kelly.

Time will tell to see if Chris Mack can make a move to wrangle in Hunter, but this was definitely some good news for the Musketeers on Monday.