MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Ross Hodge did not just make a coaching hire. He made a vision altering decision that is already reshaping the future of West Virginia basketball.
Hiring Yusuf Ali as an assistant coach has proven to be one of the smartest moves of Hodge’s tenure, and the impact is showing up clearly on the recruiting trail. What is taking shape in Morgantown looks intentional and sustainable, with Canada emerging as a major pipeline for elite talent.
Yusuf Ali’s influence has been immediate. His relationships and credibility have helped West Virginia secure commitments from five star guard Miles Sadler and four star forward and center Aliou Dioum. Landing either player would have been significant. Landing both signaled that the Mountaineers are operating at a different level in recruiting.
That momentum has carried over to one of the most coveted prospects in the entire country. Paul Osaruyi is a 6 foot 9 Canadian forward who plays alongside Sadler and Dioum at Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is currently ranked as the number four overall player in the 2027 class, the top player in the state of Arizona, and the second ranked center nationally. Osaruyi has also discussed the possibility of reclassifying to the 2026 class, which would accelerate the timeline even further.
JUST IN: Ross Hodge and the Mountaineers are aiming to add Top 5 player in the 2027 class!
LINK: https://t.co/n1G2SCn1Z3 pic.twitter.com/2N7gBkkPSm
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) January 23, 2026
Osaruyi has been open about his interest in West Virginia and the factors driving that interest.
“My guy Yusuf Ali is an assistant coach there. Two of my teammates are going over there. I’m familiar with their coaching staff and their playstyle, but I got to get over there and see more for myself. Miles and Aliou are always telling me that I got to be a Mountaineer and come join them. We’ll see what the future holds, but they’re a great group of guys.”
Those comments matter. They show trust, comfort, and a sense of belonging that programs work years to build. West Virginia has managed to establish that quickly through smart staff decisions and authentic relationships.
If Ross Hodge is able to add Osaruyi to a class that already includes Sadler and Dioum, it would be the best recruiting class in the history of WVU basketball. More importantly, it would set the program up for long term success built on size, skill, versatility, and chemistry.
This approach goes beyond chasing stars. Hodge is building pipelines, aligning assistant hires with recruiting strategy, and tapping into a Canadian talent pool that continues to produce elite college and NBA level players. Few programs have recognized that opportunity early. West Virginia has.
Ross Hodge’s plan is coming into focus, and it is bold. With Yusuf Ali on staff and multiple elite Canadian prospects buying in, the Mountaineers are positioning themselves for a future that looks very different from the past.
If Paul Osaruyi becomes a Mountaineer, it will not just be another recruiting win. It will be a defining moment for the program and the clearest sign yet that West Virginia basketball is entering a new era.
