PORTLAND, Ore. – University of Portland men's basketball has secured the No. 10-ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to the updated Hoop Scoop class rankings released this week. Head coach Terry Porter and staff secured commitments from eight new players as five freshmen, two junior college transfers and a four-year transfer have joined the program.

Junior college, prep and international players are factored into the Hoop Scoop rankings, while Division I transfers do not count. Therefore, Pitt transfer Crisshawn Clark was not included in Portland's class ranking.

Portland is one of just two mid-major schools to be listed in Hoop Scoop's Top 40 this year, joining Western Kentucky which was ranked No. 5 overall.

Hoop Scoop listed the Pilots with the No. 17 class nationally after the fall signing period. Basketball Times, which uses Hoop Scoop as its source for recruiting class rankings, had Portland's class at No. 12 in early May. The Pilots added a late signing in talented guard Marcus Shaver Jr. which bumped the ranking up to No. 10 at the close of the recruiting cycle.

Hoop Scoop rankings are compiled based on total points accumulated for each signed recruit. Players are ranked on a 1-10 scale nationally based on the following criteria:
1-5: 10 points
6-10: 9 points
11-40: 8 points
41-70: 6 points
71-100: 4 points
101-300: 3 points
301-1000: 2 points
1001-plus: 1 point

All seven Portland recruits were listed in the top 300 nationally. Here is how Portland's class rated individually:

10. PORTLAND (26 Points), 7 Recruits, 3.7 Talent Rating Average, West Coast Conference: (6) Tahirou Diabate; (4) Taki Fahrensohn; (4) Josh McSwiggan; (3) Marcus Shaver; (3) Austin Stone; (3) JoJo Walker; (3) Hugh Hogland.

2017 University of Portland Men's Basketball Recruiting Class

Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown/Previous Schools
Crisshawn Clark	G	6-4	210	Jr.	Dayton, Ohio/Pittsburgh/Cañada College
Tahirou Diabate	F	6-9	210	Fr.	Niigate, Japan/Teikyo Nagaoka HS
Taki Fahrensohn	G	6-6	175	Fr.	Auckland, New Zealand/Auckland Grammar School
Hugh Hogland	F/C	6-9	235	Fr.	Waimanalo, Hawaii/Iolani School
Josh McSwiggan	G/F	6-7	200	RS-So.	Loughborough, England/UTEP/Casper College
Marcus Shaver Jr.	G	6-2	180	Fr.	Phoenix, Ariz./Shadow Mountain HS
Austin Stone	F/C	6-8	225	Jr.	Lake Wylie, S.C./Clover HS/USC Salkehatchie
JoJo Walker	G	6-1	170	Fr.	Santa Maria, Calif./St. Joseph High School

Get to know the newest Pilots a little better as they describe why they chose Portland:

Crisshawn Clark, G, 6-4, 210, Jr., Dayton, Ohio/Wayne HS/Cañada College/Pittsburgh
"I chose UP because as an older, experienced basketball player I realized what I needed to be successful and how to help make a program successful. I truly believe it starts with a supportive, experienced, and confident coaching staff. UP brings that with Coach Porter being the leader. I also chose UP because the campus and atmosphere is one of a kind. It feels like a second home and everyone is friendly and supportive of the things you do, whether it is education or sports-related. Finally, I truly believe this a place where I can leave a legacy, starting on the court and ending with receiving my degree."
- Crisshawn Clark



Tahirou Diabate, F, 6-9, 210, Fr., Niigate, Japan/Teikyo Nagaoka HS
"I picked Portland because the education is high level, the coaches gave me a good first impression, and I wanted to play high level basketball."
- Tahirou "D" Diabate


 
Taki Fahrensohn, G, 6-6, 175, Fr., Auckland, New Zealand/Auckland Grammar School
"I chose UP because of the school's academic record, the coaching staff's history, the quality of life, and the facilities on campus."
- Taki Fahrensohn



Hugh Hogland, F/C, 6-9, 235, Fr., Waimanalo, Hawaii/Iolani School
"I chose UP because it was the perfect combination of basketball and academics. Not only do I get to live the dream of playing collegiate sports, but I also get to play in front of my extended family here in Portland. Also, playing for Coach Porter and his staff is as good as it gets for an athlete like me. I feel like I hit the jackpot and I'm going to work hard to keep it."
- Hugh Hogland



Josh McSwiggan, G/F, 6-7, 200, RS-So., Loughborough, England/UTEP/Casper College
"I chose University of Portland because the school is extremely good academically and the WCC is a very challenging and competitive conference. We have a great coaching staff and a strong set of recruits, which I believe gives us a very good chance of making UP a contender."
- Josh McSwiggan



Marcus Shaver Jr., G, 6-2, 180, Fr., Phoenix, Ariz./Shadow Mountain HS
"I chose Portland because of Coach Porter. He was my deciding factor. I love the fact that he has been where I want to be, the NBA. He was very hands on during my visit and made sure my mom and I were very well cared for. He was also a point guard, the same position as myself and I believe I can learn a lot from him. The coaching staff in whole did have a lot to do with it as well. I love how each coach has a background of developing players that are currently in the NBA and/or overseas. What Gonzaga has done for the WCC is amazing and being able to play in the PK80 will be an amazing experience. I am beyond blessed and very excited to start my journey as a Portland Pilot!"
- Marcus Shaver Jr.



Austin Stone, F/C, 6-8, 225, Jr., Lake Wylie, S.C./Clover HS/USC Salkehatchie
"I chose UP because of the coaching staff's background and their coaching style. I also wanted to experience living in a new area and Portland is beautiful!"
- Austin Stone



JoJo Walker, G, 6-1, 170, Fr., Santa Maria, Calif./St. Joseph High School
"I chose Portland because it felt like family right away. Portland is also an excellent school. And finally, I chose Portland because of the coaches. They have a lot of experience and they can help me take my game to the next level."
- JoJo Walker