Chris Mack has the first piece of his 2017 recruiting class.
Jared Ridder, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, committed to Xavier on Wednesday evening.
“Through the entire recruiting process one school has always stuck out to me,” Ridder posted to social media, “and after visiting this past week it is clear that there is no better place I can see myself playing in college.
“Special thanks to Coach Mack and the rest of the staff for making Xavier feel like home. Can’t wait for this opportunity, and I feel truly blessed.”
In Ridder, the Musketeers are getting one of the top shooters in the class and a prospect that looked to be prime to garner more attention this July, with more high majors starting to keep tabs. Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Arkansas had already offered.
Ridder, a Springfield, Mo. native, will be an interesting backcourt pairing for Xavier in the 2017-18 season with J.P. Macura and/or Trevon Bluiett, who tested the NBA waters this spring before deciding to return for his junior season. Xavier will be able to put a lot of shooting on the floor with Ridder in the fold. It also gives them a headstart in putting together this year’s recruiting class, in which Mack and Co. are targeting a number of high-level prospects.