Shaka Smart, Texas land pledge from 3-star PF David Joplin

Yet another piece of what should be a large 2021 recruiting haul for Shaka Smart is now in place, as Brookfield (Wis.) Central power forward David Joplin announced his commitment to the Texas Longhorns on Sunday afternoon.

A three-star prospect, Joplin picked Texas over 11 other offers including Butler, Iowa State, Minnesota, Georgetown, DePaul, and Missouri.

A product of the same D1 Minnesota program that helped produce Longhorns center Jericho Sims, Joplin averaged 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a junior en route to first-team all-Greater Metro Conference honors and helped guide Brookfield Central to a 24-1 record and a league championship.

“That is a great get for Texas,” D1 Minnesota program director Jeremy Miller told 247Sports Brian Snow. “Shaka has worked hard recruiting David and he has been a great player for us. I am sure David is going to lead them to a lot of wins.”

A versatile talent, Joplin has the frame at 6’7, 215 pounds to play some small ball power forward at the collegiate level, but he also has enough of ball-handling ability, touch out to the perimeter, and fluidity to his game to hold his own as a wing in Austin with some continued development.

The addition of Joplin gives Smart’s 2021 class three pledges to date, as he joins Davenport (La.) Assumption guard Emarion Ellis and Raleigh (N.C.) Grace Christian School power forward Keeyan Itejere.

The highest-ranked of the bunch, Joplin is ranked as the nation’s No. 38 power forward and as the No. 5 player in Wisconsin, per the 247Sports Composite.