With Texas A&M just two weeks away from tipping off its second season under Buzz Williams, the Aggies announced a trio of signees on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. Four-star John Paul II guard Manny Obaseki, Legacy the School of Sport Sciences forward Ashton Smith and Lancaster guard Wade Taylor all made it official on Wednesday morning inking their national letters of intent.

Shortly after A&M topped Arkansas in their regular season home-finale this spring, Obaseki announced his commitment to the Aggies over Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.

“Manny is a very important signee for our program,” Associate head coach Jamie McNeilly said of Obaseki. “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.”

Taylor was among the first prospects that Williams visited after starting at A&M and has developed a close relationship with assistant coach Devin Johnson as well. The four-star guard announced his commitment to the Aggies last month over Iowa State, Oklahoma State, SMU and Virginia Tech.

“Wade is a program changer in more ways than one,” Johnson said of Taylor. 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!”

The 6-foot, 180-pound guard averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game last season. He rated as the No. 118 prospect, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

Smith comes from a very rich basketball background. His mother and father played at North Texas and Houston respectively, while his uncle also played at Syracuse. The connections don’t stop there, however, as his grandfather Lucious Jackson was the fourth overall pick in the 1964 NBA draft and played for the Philadelphia 76ers. Less than two weeks ago, Smith committed to the Aggies over Houston, Nebraska, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech.

13COMMENTS“We are very excited to have Ashton join our family,” Johnson said. “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.”

The Aggies currently have the fourth-rated class in the SEC just behind Kentucky, LSU and Alabama.