Texas A&M Signs Three Texas Prospects to National Letters of Intent

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M men's basketball head coach Buzz Williams announced the signing of Manny Obaseki, Ashton Smith and Wade Taylor to National Letters of Intent Wednesday.

Manny Obaseki
6-4 | 175 | Guard
Allen, Texas | John Paul II
 
About Manny:

• Ranked as a five-star prospect by Rivals, becoming Texas A&M's first five-star signee since DeAndre Jordan in 2007
• Tabbed as the nation's No. 21 overall recruit by Rivals and No. 26 by 247Sports
• A four-star recruit and the fourth-best combo guard in the class of 2021 by 247Sports
• An all-state selection and District 9-6A MVP last season after averaging 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists at Allen High School

Also recruited by:

Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech

Associate head coach Jamie McNeilly on Manny:

"Manny is a very important signee for our program. Every basketball program in the country would want to be represented by Manny both on and off the floor. He comes from an amazing family that values education and hard work. We are confident in his ability to have an immediate impact on the floor, in large part due to the outstanding basketball programs he is joining us from in-state. His talent and character is undeniable, and we are excited to see him continue to grow under our tutelage."

Ashton Smith
6-9 | 230 | Forward
Spring, Texas | Legacy the School of Sport Sciences
 
About Ashton:

• Three-star prospect by 247Sports
• Ranked as the 14th-best prospect in Texas by 247Sports
• Rated as the No. 269 overall recruit in the 2021 247Sports Composite Rankings
• Named to the 2020 District 16-6A first team
• Competed at Nimitz High School last season before transferring to Legacy the School of Sport Sciences
• Has a very strong basketball background as his mother played at North Texas, father played at Houston, uncle played at Syracuse and his grandfather, Lucious Jackson, was the fourth overall pick in the 1964 NBA Draft and played for the Philadelphia 76ers

Also recruited by:

Houston, Nebraska, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech

Assistant coach Devin Johnson on Ashton:

"We are very excited to have Ashton join our family. His hard work and determination will be a great asset to our program. Ashton's underdog mentality on the floor can and will translate to the SEC. A very respectful young man, raised on the right things is what we are getting and boy are we happy! Aggie Nation, you are in for a treat because Ashton is going to give everything he has night in and night out in order to be successful. He comes to us from a very strong program that has poured into him in the very best ways. Ashton's family has made it easy on us because Ashton is one of the most humble, respectful and trustworthy young men you would ever want to meet."

Wade Taylor
6-0 | 180 | Guard
Lancaster, Texas | Lancaster 
 
About Wade:

• Four-star prospect by Rivals and 247Sports Composite
• Ranked No. 113 and No. 119 nationally by Rivals and 247Sports Composite, respectively
• Rated as a top-20 point guard nationally by Rivals and 247Sports Composite
• Helped lead Lancaster High School to a No. 1 ranking in 5A in 2020
• Averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game last season

Also recruited by:

Iowa State, Oklahoma State, SMU and Virginia Tech

Assistant coach Devin Johnson on Wade:

"Wade is a program changer in more ways than one. We are getting a very respectful, strong-willed leader that will bring his very best in every aspect of his daily life. Wade has had the opportunity to develop within a very strong AAU and high school foundation. Wade attacks his academics the same way he attacks his opportunities to improve on the floor. The very best thing about Wade is he loves basketball and we are looking forward to helping him excel at it. Thank you to the Taylor family for allowing us to pour into your son, we are looking forward to the opportunity!"

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