Hoops class overview

Columbia (Tenn.) State Community College three-star shooting guard T.J. DunansClick Here to view this Link. is expected to contribute immediately at Auburn next season.

The Tigers certainly will need him. They'll need his size (6-foot-5 and 185 pounds). They'll need his experience.

It's why he was such an important part of Auburn's 2015 recruiting class.

"Losing four senior guards this year, obviously it was important that we brought in really good guards in this recruiting class," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "In T.J.'s case, because he is a junior college player, he has some experience."

Dunas, a longtime Auburn commitment, signed his Letter of Intent with Auburn on Wednesday.

"T.J. is a gifted scorer and he has the ability to create for himself and others," Pearl said. "He can play above the rim. He has a really high upside. When his motor runs hot, he is a really tough cover."

As a freshman last season at Columbia State, Dunans averaged 22.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He was named the 2014-15 Sporting News Preseason JUCO Player of the Year.

Dunans, who attended MLK High in Atlanta, Ga., will have two years of eligibility at Auburn.

Dunans is the third player to sign with Auburn since the early signing period began Wednesday. It ends Nov. 19.

AUBURN SIGNS PG

Four-star guard New Williams, 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, signed a National Letter of Intent with Auburn on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.

Williams was the first player to sign and fax his LOI to Auburn. It was a good way for Pearl and the Tigers to start the day.

"New Williams is a high major prospect both on and off the court," Pearl said. "He comes from a great family, has a great work ethic and a great foundation."

Pearl projects Williams to play point guard at Auburn.

"While in high school he has played a lot off the ball. Our plan is for him to play point guard," Pearl said. "He is one of the most athletic guards on the west coast."

Williams, from Santa Monica, Calif., missed his junior year due to an ACL injury.

"Had he not undergone ACL surgery last spring that kept him out for the summer, he would have been recruited by all the Pac-12 schools," Pearl said.

Instead, Auburn got a steal in Williams.

Pearl, who couldn't recruit at Auburn until August because of his NCAA Show-Cause Penalty, credited a member of his staff for finding and signing Williams.

"One of the benefits of my Show-Cause Penalty was I was able to elevate Director of Basketball Operations Todd Golden all spring and summer that he could go out and recruit," Pearl said. "Todd did an outstanding job of finding, recruiting and signing New Williams."

PURIFOY SIGNS WITH AU

Soon after Williams sent his LOI to Auburn, another of the Tigers' top commitments did the same.

Small forward Danjel Purifoy, ranked a four-star prospect and the nation's No. 80 overall player in the 2015 class, signed and sent his LOI Wednesday afternoon.

Purifoy, 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds, is originally from Centreville, Ala., but transferred to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. for his senior year.

Pearl made it a priority to get Purifoy to return to his home state.

"One of our commitments is to do the best we can at keeping Alabama's best players at home," Pearl said. "It worked in the past for Auburn and it will work in the future."

And Pearl expects Purifoy to be a big part of the Tigers' future. Purifoy is the type of player Pearl wants in his system.

"Danjel is a high-energy, athletic, aggressive player who has many facets to his offensive and defensive game," Pearl said. "He can play many positions because he can guard many positions. Definitely a system fit."

Last season as a junior at Bibb County High in Centreville, Purifoy averaged 17.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

WHAT'S LEFT

With Purifoy, Dunans and Williams, Auburn has signed three of its five commitments. The two who have yet to sign are four-star forward Horace Spencer and four-star center Trayvon Reed.

Reed, however, will not sign during the early period, but he'll join the team in December. That leaves Spencer as the only commitment yet to sign. Spencer, the No. 61 overall prospect and Auburn's highest-ranked commitment, has yet to set a day or time to sign.

Auburn also is looking to add one more to the class before the early period ends Nov. 19. One target to keep an eye on is Columbia (Decatur, Ga.) three-star shooting guard Bryce Brown. Brown was previously committed to Charlotte, but re-opened his recruitment Sunday night. He told Rivals.com on Wednesday that he plans to have a final decision soon between Auburn, Ole Miss and Charlotte.

Auburn's 2015 class currently is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 10 class in the country.