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Summer Recruiting Bible: Butler off to strong start with '16 class

Chris Holtmann could secure multiple ESPN 100 prospects for Butler's 2016 class. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Butler Bulldogs.

An index and schedule for the Summer Recruiting Bible series is located HERE.


Scholarship chart

Seniors (4): SG Kellen Dunham, SG Jordan Gathers, SF Roosevelt Jones, SF Austin Etherington

Juniors (3): PG Tyler Lewis, PF Andrew Chrabascz, SG Kethan Savage

Sophomores (3): PF Kelan Martin, PF Tyler Wideman, PF Jackson Davis F

Freshmen (2): SG Sean McDermott, C Nate Fowler

Possible early-entry losses after next season: None

Available scholarships for 2016: Four

Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: C Joey Brunk (No. 63 in ESPN 100, Indy Hoosiers, 2016), SF David Caraher (Team United, 2017)

Biggest needs for 2016-17: Point guard, shooting on the wing, athleticism

Must-haves: PG C.J. Walker (No. 82 in ESPN 100, Spiece Indy Heat), SG Lindy Waters II (Oklahoma Wizards), PG Kamar Baldwin (Atlanta Celtics)

Targets: PG C.J. Walker (No. 82 in ESPN 100, Spiece Indy Heat), SG Lindy Waters II (Oklahoma Wizards), PG Kamar Baldwin (Atlanta Celtics), PG Quentin Goodin (No. 95, Hoop Dreams), PG Howard Washington (Albany City Rocks), PF Robert Baker Jr. (Game Elite), PG Andrew Jones (Nike Pro Skills), PG Carsen Edwards (Houston Hoops), PG Trevor Anderson (Wisconsin Academy)

Summer scenario

Butler got great news over the weekend, starting with its 2016 class by beating out the likes of Oklahoma, Indiana, Purdue and Xavier for four-star center Joey Brunk. Brunk is a 6-foot-10 center from Indianapolis -- and one of the highest-ranked players ever to choose the Bulldogs. Chris Holtmann and his staff certainly aren't done in 2016, though, as they still have three scholarships to hand out. The perimeter has become the focus moving forward, with Kellen Dunham, Roosevelt Jones, Jordan Gathers and Austin Etherington all leaving after next season. C.J. Walker is the biggest target, and his recruitment is moving faster than originally planned, but Lindy Waters II and Kamar Baldwin are also priorities after impressive spring showings on the Adidas circuit.