Future Wildcat Brandon Ashley Scores 31 In National High School Invitational Championship

Brandon Ashley, who committed to the Arizona Wildcats for the 2012 season, led Finley Prep to an overtime victory to win the ESPN National High School Invitational Championship on Saturday by scoring 31 points against Montverde. Finley Prep was down by 18 points in the third quarter and thanks to Ashley, they came out on top.

From the Las Vegas Suns' Taylor Bern:

Findlay tried to chip away at the lead, but it grew to 18 in the third quarter as Montverde kept hitting shots and the Pilots missed a few easy ones.

And that's when Ashley took over. Jumpers, layups and especially free throws - he was 15-of-16 at the line - suddenly gave Findlay life. Montverde started collapsing under the pressure, committing 10 turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Ashley tied the game at the free-throw line and Williams-Goss forced an off-balance 3-pointer from Hill that missed the mark, sending the game to overtime.

Ashley is a top-10 prospect and one of the recruits in a major class for the Arizona Wildcats that will likely help them step up their game in the PAC-12 in 2012.

For more on the Wildcats, head to Arizona Desert Swarm, and for more on the team's recruiting efforts, follow SB Nation Arizona's StoryStream.

Shabazz Muhammad May Bring Ineligibility Issues, Arizona Wildcats Appear Uninterested

The Arizona Wildcats were once recruiting Shabazz Muhammad to join the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for 2012, but it appears Sean Miller has backed off in recent weeks. While some around the program had heard whispers that Muhammad would bring plenty of unwanted baggage along with him -- including his heavily involved father, Ron Holmes -- there seems to be even more truth to those rumors now.

Gary Parrish and Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports have the latest update from the NCAA:

The NCAA has contacted each school recruiting the nation's top-ranked high school basketball prospect, Shabazz Muhammad, and made them aware of financial dealings that could compromise Muhammad's amateur status, multiple sources have told CBSSports.com.

The sources told CBSSports.com that the NCAA is specifically interested in connections between Muhammad's family and financial advisers Benjamin Lincoln and Ken Kavanagh. Lincoln is a North Carolina-based financial planner whose brother, Geoff Lincoln, is an assistant coach for Muhammad's high school team in Las Vegas. Kavanagh is a New York-based financial planner.

Muhammad's father, Ron Holmes, acknowledged to CBSSports.com in multiple phone calls this week that he knows both men and has been questioned by an NCAA investigator about the relationships. Sources told CBSSports.com Lincoln paid for at least two of Muhammad's unofficial visits to college campuses and that Kavanagh has helped fund Muhammad's summer team, the Las Vegas-based Dream Vision Foundation. Holmes, who has hired legal counsel to assist with getting the NCAA inquiry resolved, confirmed both statements as true to CBSSports.com.

If you continue reading the article -- which really should be a must-read for those with teams involved with Muhammad -- it also suggests there could be serious complications with Adidas and their support for the family. Shabazz plays for an AAU club team that is sponsored by the company, has a sister that is a professional tennis player sponsored by Adidas, and some have even suggested Ron Holmes is receiving payments under-the-table, as well.

Not exactly the ideal situation for a top-prospect with offers to just about every program in the nation.

If the Wildcats had not already completely backed off Muhammad, I'm sure they will in the coming weeks. There is absolutely no reason for Miller and the coaching staff to impose a headache upon themselves with this kid, regardless of how talented he is.

If any school does land him, this is all I can say to you: good luck.

McDonald's All-Americans 2012: Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett Selected

The Arizona Wildcats have perhaps the top recruiting class in the country, and they're going to be able to showcase these talents on a national stage before they head to Tucson. The McDonald's All-American Rosters were announced today, and two of the members of that class will be participants on that squad.

Brandon Ashley is perhaps the best big man in the 2012 recruiting class, and Jerrett is among the top forwards as well. Arizona hoops has to be happy with the players they're getting and they'll get a chance to see them on ESPN the night of March 28th at the United Center. Anthony Gimino of the Tucson Citizen reports.

For what it’s worth, they will give Arizona a McDonald’s All-American on the roster for the first time since 2008-09, when Chase Budinger was a junior.

Does it matter? Consider that since 1979, only one team has won the national championship without having a McDonald’s All-American on its roster. That was Maryland in 2002. McDonald’s has sponsored an All-American team since 1977.

If you're wondering why Kaleb Tarczewski wasn't on the squad, it's because he's a fifth-year high school player, and such players are ineligible to compete in these All-star contests.

To discuss Ashley, Jerrett and Arizona basketball recruiting, hit up Arizona Desert Swarm.

Future Arizona Wildcats Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett, Kaleb Tarczewski Selected For Jordan Brand Classic

Shabazz Muhammad Keeping Recruitment Quiet, Will Visit Arizona Wildcats On Saturday

Shabazz Muhammad is a special basketball player. While not overly gifted in terms of athleticism, the senior out of Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada is arguably the best high school prospect in nearly a decade. Seemingly every program in the country has tried to land a commitment from the 6'6 guard and it appears Arizona, Duke, Kentucky, UCLA and UNLV are the five with the best chance to land him.

Even with his senior season winding down and the spring signing period right around the corner, Muhammad has continually kept things quiet with his recruitment. Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports has the latest update.

Everyone wants to know where Shabazz Muhammad will play his college basketball next season. As the consensus top prospect in the class of 2012, his decision has the attention of fans, casual observers, recruitniks, coaches - everyone.

Muhammad's classmates at Bishop Gorman (Nev.) are no different.

"Probably 10 times a day in school," Muhammad said last week when asked how often he hears the question. "Everyone wants to know. I don't mind it. I just say I don't know yet.

"I'm still looking at all my schools."

And while Shabazz continues to keep an open mind, do not expect a final decision any time soon.

He's taken his time throughout the process, only taking official visits to Kentucky and Texas A&M so far. He won't make a decision until he's taken all five of his officials.

"Probably when I'm done with my visits," Muhammad said. "I have three more officials, and I'm definitely going to take them. I'll have them scheduled in a month or so."

For now, he said he's looking at Duke, Kansas and Arizona for the remaining visits. Because they're so close to home, UCLA and UNLV likely won't receive official visits.

"It's worthwhile to go to a farther school for an official, since they're paying," Muhammad said.

Hey, if you're the No. 1 prospect in the nation, why not take full advantage of the schools begging you to join their program? I don't know about him, but I'd be giving Hawaii and Miami a call to see if they had any interest.

Unofficial Visit Lined Up:

Muhammad will be unofficially visiting the University of Arizona on Saturday, January 28, as they host the Washington Huskies, according to a tweet from PointGuardU. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN, with the College GameDay crew in attendance. A raucous atmosphere is expected at McKale Center and the athletic department has called for a "White Out" of the arena.

For more on the Wildcats, head on over to AZ Desert Swarm.

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Wildcats Battling Washington For Aaron Gordon, Jabari Bird

The Arizona Wildcats have already assembled a stellar recruiting class for 2012 and the coaching staff is starting to shift their focus towards the best and brightest in the class of 2013. Two of those players are Aaron Gordon and Jabari Bird, who are both ranked nationally in the top-50 by every scouting service. Gordon and Bird are currently teammates on the Oakland Soldiers, the same AAU club team that produced current or future Wildcats in Josiah Turner, Nick Johnson and Brandon Ashley.

Arizona is currently locked in with Washington to land Gordon, who some feel is a top-5 talent in his class, and is battling Washington and California for Bird. With there being quite a few tournaments over the winter break for many of these players, we had a chance to see where a few teams stand in their recruitment with each player.

Washington vs Arizona for Aaron Gordon is one of the biggest 2013 recruiting battles in west. They're battling for Jabari Bird as well.

— Josh Gershon (@JoshGershon) December 29, 2011

Five Star Basketball also caught up with Bird and discussed his recruitment.

The Wildcats will receive quite a battle from their conference foes as they attempt to lure both Bird and Gordon to Tucson, but the smart money says to not bet against Sean Miller and the UA coaching staff. At this time, many believe Arizona is either the leader or among the leaders for both players. Neither Bird nor Gordon is expected to make a decision any time soon.

For more on the 'Cats, head on over to AZ Desert Swarm.

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Wildcat Commit Brandon Ashley Interviews Amedeo Della Valle

The Arizona Wildcats have already secured the No. 1 recruiting class for 2012 and the team may not be done yet. With a combo-guard (Gabe York), two forwards (Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett) and a center (Kaleb Tarczewski) already committed, it only makes sense Sean Miller would pursue a player capable of running point guard. That is exactly what he and the UA coaching staff have done with Amedeo Della Valle.

Della Valle, who came over from Europe during the summer and is now at Findlay Prep alongside Brandon Ashley, is a 6'4 guard capable of playing both positions on the floor. Not blessed with incredible athleticism or speed, ADV does a tremendous job gaining an edge on his defenders with fundamental play and a high basketball IQ. Armed with a lethal shot from behind the arc and an ability to distribute the ball to his teammates, fans can expect to see his name high on the recruiting boards in the coming months.

PointGuardU.com recently interviewed Della Valle to discuss how his recruitment and season have gone. Brandon Ashley makes an appearance as well and proceeds to ask his teammate some great questions.

Arizona is rumored to be the leader for Amedeo, although he has stated multiple times that he will not make a decision until the spring signing period. With the Wildcats losing at least two guards next season, ADV could arrive in Tucson and see immediate playing time.

For more on the 'Cats, head on over to AZ Desert Swarm.

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Jabari Bird Visits Tucson, Comes Away Very Impressed

The Arizona Wildcats have landed the No. 1 recruiting class for 2012, but do not think for one minute the coaching staff is resting on the recruiting trail. While they have pretty much wrapped up everything for next year's team, the battle is on for the best players in the classes of 2013 and 2014.

Jabari Bird is one of those players. A player projected to be a small forward at the next level, Bird has the Wildcats at the top of his list for potential college choices. He recently visited Tucson and talked to PointGuardU about his visit.

"It was a great time, I liked the campus," he said. "The atmosphere was great. It's a basketball town and the fans are crazy about the team. Campus was cool too, Arizona seems like a really fun school to go to."

"Overall I was just trying to take it in and see what being there was like," Bird said. "I wanted to take a visit so I could get a feel for the school and see what they had to offer. It went really well."

Bird said what appealed to him most about Arizona was the coaching staff and style of play.

"Arizona has really great coaches, they improve you as a player and they genuinely want you to become a better player," he said. "I want to work hard and learn a lot and really get the best coaching for my game that I can."

The race to land Bird's services will be close throughout and Arizona and Washington are the leaders at this time. Originally from the Bay Area, every program on the west coast would love to land the 6'8 wing. With Sean Miller's recent success on the recruiting trail, Arizona fans have to feel good about their chances.

ASU Men's Basketball: Hamilton High School's Eric Jacobsen Signs Letter of Intent for ASU

As the Arizona Sun Devils get amped up for the beginning of their season, high school players around the country are figuring out which program they'd like to go to next year, as is the case with Hamilton High School's Eric Jacobsen, who according to the State Press's Master Tesfatsion signed a letter of intent to play for the Sun Devils during his collegiate career. 

The 6'10" 235 pound junior out of Chandler undoubtedly had his pick of the litter as to which school he'd like to attend, but ultimately he chose to stay close to home and go to ASU. Nationally Jacobsen ranks as the 1185th best high school player, though is ranked 13th within the state or Arizona. 

Jacobsen is averaging 12.4 points a game and 10.3 rebounds for the Hamilton Huskies varsity squad, along with an impressive 2.4 blocked shots per game. He'll be someone to keep an eye on over the course of the year to see just what he might bring to the table for ASU. 

For more on the Sun Devils, head over to House of Sparky. 

Sean Miller Called A 'Chameleon' As No. 1 Ranked Recruiting Class Prepares To Sign

Arizona Wins: Kaleb Tarczewski Chooses Wildcats Over Kansas Jayhawks

Arizona got their man.

According to CBS Sportsline, Claremont, New Hampshire native and top recruit Kaleb Tarczewski has chosen to play for Sean Miller and the Wildcats over the Kansas Jayhawks, whom many had as the front runner for his services.

Tarczewski, a 7-foot big man, took his time with the process, eventually deciding to head all the way across the country to continue his basketball and educational pursuits.

The likes of North Carolina and Kentucky were also after Tarczewski but Arizona won out and adds him a Class of 2012 recruiting class - that includes Brandon Ashley, Grant Jarrett and Gabe York - which could put Arizona back among the elite programs in the country where it was once a mainstay. All but York could play in the McDonald's All-American game, turning the game into a public showcase of what Miller is trying to build in the desert.

It won't happen over night, but these four young players are a good start.

Kaleb Tarczewski To Make Decision Soon Between Kansas Jayhawks, Arizona Wildcats

The Arizona Wildcats could have the best college basketball recruiting class in the country when all is said and done. But they do need one more big man to commit before they can be sure to be set at all positions.

The man Arizona wants is Kaleb Tarczewski, the seven-foot center from the Northeast. It's likely they'll have to fight the Kansas Jayhawks to get him. Point Guard U, an Arizona recruiting site, tweeted this earlier this week.

Kansas and Arizona have long been suspected to be the top schools for Tarczewski, but it's anyone's guess who he'll end up committing to. The St. Mark's High center from Claremont, New Hampshire has kept things close to the vest regarding his recruiting process, and it looks as if it'll stay that way to the very end. But it has to be nice that the competition for the big man is only one deep, even if it is a formidable opponent.

For more on college basketball recruiting involving either school, check out Rock Chalk Talk (Kansas) and Arizona Desert Swarm (Arizona).

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Stephen Domingo Visits Tucson, Wildcats High On List

With all three members of Arizona's top-ranked recruiting class on campus this past weekend for the Red-Blue Game, it was easy to overlook a few of the other talented players on campus. One of the best and fastest rising players in the class of 2013 is 6'7 wing Stephen Domingo and he recently visited Tucson to take in the festivities.

Domingo recently spoke with PointGuardU.com about his visit. Here were a few of the highlights:

"My visit was great! I really enjoyed the scrimmage and being with the Arizona people. The environment was crazy," said Domingo. "The players they already have committed (Gabe York, Grant Jerrett, and Brandon Ashley) were really cool to hangout with, and they told me they would love to have me come to Arizona."

"There wasn't any pressure put towards it or anything like that, but they definitely did try to recruit me," he laughed. "Those guys are already like a big family. It's really appealing, and they want me to join them. They all said I could be a big difference-maker if I came in following them."

Arizona is a school with a ton of momentum on the recruiting trail and they are only bringing in the best talent from across the nation. Domingo has the potential to be a star at the next level and he could see immediate playing time should he become a Wildcat.

"Coach Miller explained to me that Solomon Hill and Kevin Parrom will be gone once I get to the college level, so there will be some holes at my position. They think I could come in and really play some big minutes my freshman year. They really emphasized me producing."

Every player wants to come in and see immediate time on the court and Domingo has that opportunity with UA. He will likely wait until after his high school season to make a decision, though it could come as late as the summer months. Many schools are battling for Domingo's services and Arizona fans have to feel confident about their chances with Sean Miller at the helm.

For more on the Wildcats, check out AZ Desert Swarm.

Arizona Hoops To Unveil 'Arizona Basketball Never Stops' Nike Banner On Saturday

Kaleb Tarczewski Visits Kansas Jayhawks, Arizona Wildcats Up Next

It appears Kaleb Tarczewski, the heralded seven-foot center out of New Hampshire, is close to making a final decision on which school he will attend in 2012. 

Zeus, as his teammates and friends call him, was once believed to be a heavy Kansas-lean, but schools such as Arizona, North Carolina and Kentucky entered the picture late and kept Tarczewski from making a final decision. While many rumors have circled the message boards in recent months, the nation's No. 2 ranked center has narrowed his list to Kansas and Arizona.

Tarczewski visited the Jayhawks last weekend for Late Night In The Phog and had a great time, according to recruiting expert Adam Zagoria. Despite it being his fifth visit to Lawrence, the talented big man did not commit and is now preparing for his official visit to Arizona. He unofficially visited Tucson two months ago and came away very impressed.

Many believed Zeus would arrive in Tucson on Friday, but recent reports have indicated he will begin his visit a day early and take in the Arizona football game against UCLA on Thursday night.

While this may be concerning to some UA fans -- hey, the football team isn't exactly the pride of the school right now -- the crowd should be rowdy seeing as Arizona can actually beat UCLA and it will be the first game without Mike Stoops on the sidelines. 

Tarczewski is expected to remain in town throughout the weekend, with the main event being Arizona's Red-Blue Game on Saturday afternoon. 11,000 tickets have already been sold for the event and former Wildcat greats such as Jason Terry, Channing Frye and Derrick Williams will all be in attendance.

Anyone who has followed this recruitment closely knows making predictions seems foolish at this point, but ask yourself this:  Tarczewski has been recruited by Bill Self for years and just visited Lawrence for the fifth time without committing.  He gave Sean Miller and the Wildcats his final official visit and is arriving early to check out a pretty meaningless football game. Which school appears to have all the momentum at this point?

---

SB Nation Arizona will have full coverage of UA athletics throughout the season. If you're looking for even more news, check out AZ Desert Swarm.

College Basketball Recruiting Rankings: Arizona Wildcats Remain At Top, UCLA Falls To No. 3

As the fall signing period approaches, the Arizona Wildcats continue to have the top-ranked recruiting class for 2012. Five-star big man Grant Jerrett committed back in January of 2011 for the first pledge and electric shooting guard Gabe York made his college choice in the second week of July.

These two already have UA a solid start to their class, but the player Sean Miller had his eye on for nearly two years was Brandon Ashley. Despite being coveted by just about every program in the nation, Miller did whatever it took to lure Ashley to Tucson and received a commitment on August 29.

Jerrett, York and Ashley have combined to give the Wildcats the top-ranked recruiting class for 2012 and were recently a topic of discussion on Recruiting Nation. They are joined in the top-10 by Indiana, UCLA -- who recently fell to No. 3 with the departure of point guard Dominic Artis -- Pittsburgh, Providence, Baylor, North Carolina, Texas, Michigan State and Villanova. 

There are certainly a few blue blood programs scattered throughout the rankings, one may notice the lack of Kentucky and Duke. While those two programs are right in the middle of things among some of those players yet to select a program, their lack of recruiting success (so far, at least) is something to watch.

If there was ever any doubt about Sean Miller's ability to recruit, it is gone. The head coach has done a phenomenal job both on and off the court since taking over two and a half years ago.

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Sean Miller's Take Over Of California Bodes Well For Program

Arizona Wildcats Recruiting European Guard Amedeo Della Valle (VIDEO!)

The Arizona Wildcats may be looking to add yet another player to their stellar 2012 recruiting class. While their hunt for a center is in full-swing, European guard Amedeo Della Valle has recently seen his recruitment pick up since transferring to Findlay Prep. UA is one of the teams on Amedeo the hardest and PointGuardU.com recently interviewed the 6'4 point guard:

As Amedeo mentions, he expects to sign with a program in the spring, which is good news for Arizona and the coaches. Should Josiah Turner or Jordin Mayes not return in 2012, the team would be looking for some depth in the backcourt and the European guard would be a welcome addition.

While everyone will certainly want to see Valle in American games this season -- he will be teammates with Brandon Ashley, UA's top-commit for the class of 2012 -- he performed extremely well with his team and was one of the top-scorers in his age group.

Amedeo Della Valle is definitely a player for 'Cats fans to keep their eyes on this year.

Robert Upshaw Has Successful Visit With Sean Miller And Arizona Wildcats

2012 big man Robert Upshaw recently had an in-home visit with head coach Sean Miller and assistant coach James Whitford. While the visit went well, PointGuardU.com briefly discussed the visit with Upshaw and what the coaches told him.

"It went well," Upshaw told PGU. "They hooked up the laptop to the TV and made a presentation."

Upshaw said the coaching staff told him how he would fit into the Wildcats' plans in the coming years, and that he could be a vital piece of their national championship puzzle.

"They basically told me about Arizona basketball," he said. "They showed me graphics and diagrams about their system and style of play, and they showed me things about former players and what they've accomplished in college and professionally. Stuff like that."

[...]

Arizona is currently jockeying for position with Louisville, Georgetown, USC, Kansas St, Maryland, Oklahoma St, UNLV, and Fresno St, which are the nine schools Upshaw is currently listing as his favorites.

"I've known coach Miller since my freshman year," he added. "We've talked a lot before and he watched me a lot, but it was great to have an in home with him and talk face to face. My mom and dad were impressed with him too."

"I'm going to narrow my list down to about four schools within the next week or two and then plan my visits," Upshaw said.

As for a decision, do not expect one from the talented center until the spring. Upshaw is going to take his time while selecting a college to attend and he has some big decisions to make. Should the Wildcats make his list of four schools in the next few weeks, a visit to the campus for a game at McKale Center could be the next step for the UA coaches and Upshaw. 

The recruitment of Upshaw continues to give the Wildcats options. The coaching staff intends to add a center to their stellar 2012 class and the final candidates are Upshaw and Kaleb Tarczewski. With Tarczewski's recruitment lingering into October, look for the coaches to go all-out on Robert should they miss on Kaleb.

Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue Game A Crucial Event For UA Basketball

Kaleb Tarczewski Sets Visits To Arizona And Kansas ... But Don't Hold Your Breath

Kaleb Tarczewski's recruitment has been a wild one. The five-star center out of New Hampshire was once believed to be a heavy lean towards Kansas, but Sean Miller and Arizona were able to make up ground late in make it a two horse race. Despite rumors flying around that Tarczewski was also considering Kentucky or North Carolina, those rumors have been dispelled.

There have been multiple reports in recent weeks about official visits, in-home visits, unofficial visits, and more. Literally nothing has happened in that span, until now. And if the latest report from Jeff Goodman is accurate, Tarczewski is going to make two official visits this month. 

Kaleb Tarczewski will take official visits to Kansas on Oct. 14 and Arizona the following weekend - per his coach John Carroll.

Why these dates? Zeus will visit Lawrence on the 14th to see Late Night At The Phog (for the second year in a row) and the 21st to see the annual Red-Blue Game in Tucson. Both are great events and the crowd support will be high. A big weekend at either school could have a big impact in his recruitment.

All of this said, fans should probably avoid holding their breaths. While this is the first time his coach has confirmed the visits, Tarczewski has played his recruitment very close to the vest and reports have been inaccurate in the past. No one quite knows what the skilled center is planning and the visits should not be thought of as official until he actually steps foot on campus.

Shaq Goodwin Adds Arizona Wildcats To Final List Of Schools

After announcing a list of his top-five programs, 2012 five-star big man Shaq Goodwin has replaced the Alabama Crimson Tide with the Arizona Wildcats. The 6'8'' forward out of Atlanta recently told PointGuardU.com why he changed his final list of schools.

"One of the people I met this summer at Adidas Nations and other events was Gabe York, who is going to Arizona," Goodwin told PGU. "Brandon Ashley is also going there, so the way I see it Arizona is going to be winning a lot more games. So that's very appealing to me."

[...]

Goodwin said that the Arizona coaching staff has also reached out to him.

"Through the summer Alabama started to lose contact with me, and Arizona really picked up the contact, so that's why they jumped ahead," he said.

Imagine that: Sean Miller and his coaching staff outworking another and then quickly rising up a top-prospects list of schools. That seems to be a trend in recent months.

As for Goodwin, the fun-loving senior in high school has not set up a visit to Arizona, though he will try to visit campus during the basketball season to see the atmosphere at McKale Center. All of this does probably hinge on Kaleb Tarczewski, though. If he were to commit in the next few weeks, Miller would (unfortunately) have his scholarships filled for the class of 2012 and would not be able to add Goodwin.

This is definitely a player to keep an eye on. The five-star prospect has the potential to be both an excellent basketball and football player in college and has said he hopes to play both. I don't think Miller or Mike Stoops would mind having Shaq on their team one bit. He's a great kid.

For more on the Arizona Wildcats, AZ Desert Swarm is the place to go.

Kaleb Tarczewski Cancels Arizona & Kansas Visits; Decision Imminent?

Perhaps Kaleb Tarczewski knows where he's going after all. He has apparently had a top two of the Arizona Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks for sometime, and was all set to make official visits to both schools.

But that's off now. Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports reports that Tarczewski has canceled his visits to both schools. The center from Southborough, Massachusetts appears to be ready to make a decision as to his future sooner rather than later.

Tarczewski really is the type of player that gives a team instant top-five contending status the moment he steps on the court. A complete big man is so hard to come by, particularly at the center position, and having someone inside who can finish well will make things difficult for opposing defenses to gameplan against. Arizona really needs someone like Tarczewski to complement Brandon Ashley to be the perfect counterbalance against UCLA's monster recruiting class.

For more on Arizona basketball, head to Arizona Desert Swarm. For more on Kansas basketball recruiting, head to Rock Chalk Talk.

Arizona Wildcats Recruiting: Kaleb Tarczewski To Officially Visit UA and Kansas

Kaleb Tarczewski, a 5-star center out of New Hampshire, originally planned to make a decision on which college to attend before his senior year of high school began. The first day of school was last friday, and sure enough, Tarczewski is yet to decide between Arizona and Kansas.

After announcing he would not have any in-home visits this weekend, Zeus, as his friends and teammates call him, has set two official visits: one to Kansas on September 17, and one to Arizona on September 24. All reports indicate the coveted big man is genuinely torn between both programs and a decision has been very tough on him.

One has to believe Arizona got the better date for the visit. For one, there's the football impact; the Jayhawks will be on the road when he visits and the campus should be relatively dull. The Wildcats will host the Oregon Ducks on the 24th, a game that will have 60,000 fans at Arizona Stadium, and a game that will have a raucous environment with ESPN being in town. The entire student body and thousands of fans will be out tailgating when Zeus visits Arizona. That's huge for Sean Miller and UA.

In addition, Kansas head coach Bill Self missed the opportunity to have Tarczewski on campus for the KU Basketball Alumni Game. This event figures to be a huge draw to Jayhawks fans and recruits everywhere, and Tarczewski won't be there for it. The big man knew of the event -- which is a pretty sweet idea -- and chose to visit Arizona instead. That means something.

Despite landing the better visit date, this by no means indicated Tarczewski will be a Wildcat. The big man could very well commit while on his visit to Lawrence next weekend and Bill Self has had a great, longstanding relationship with Kaleb.

As for an announcement, while Tarczewski has not set an official date to decide on a college, he has indicated multiple times he wants to wrap his recruitment up soon. If he passes on Kansas and takes his visit to Arizona, a decision could be coming shortly after September 24.

Stay tuned...

Arizona Wildcats Recruiting: Sean Miller, Coaching Staff Set To Visit Nation's Best Players

The contact period for coaches has arrived and the next few weeks will be hectic for every program in the country. Sean Miller and his coaching staff will be traveling across the country this weekend to visit both their current commitments and targets, which, for Arizona, means the nation's best players.

UA basketball and recruiting site Point Guard U tweeted some news:

Miller will go see (Jabari) Bird, (Stephen) Domingo and (Aaron) Gordon. Then see Ashley, Jerrett and York.

Book will be going to DC to see Nate Britt. Then to see the Harrison twins in Houston. Then to see Chris McCullough in New York.

It was also reported earlier this week that five-star big man Kaleb Tarczewski, who has narrowed his college options down to UA and Kansas, will not have any in-home visits this weekend.

As for the targets Miller and assistant coach Book Richardson will be visiting, it appears the staff is going all-out for five-star point guard Nate Britt. The team will look to add a point guard for the class of 2013 and Britt is the No. 1 priority right now.

In addition, Miller going to California to see his three future Wildcats is simply to catch up with his players and to confirm their commitment to the program. As for Bird, Domingo and Gordon, all three are near the top of Arizona's list for 2013 and Miller would happily take a commitment from any of them. Do not expect anything in the near future, though.

For more UA coverage, check out AZ Desert Swarm.

Arizona Wildcats Recruiting: Jabari Bird Dominates Competition (VIDEO!), UA Pushing Hard

While Sean Miller has his full attention on completing his recruiting class for 2012, the head coach and his staff are still working on building relationships with those in the classes of 2013 and beyond.

One of those players is Jabari Bird. The 6-foot-5 guard and forward out of Richmond, California had a big summer while playing for the Oakland Soldiers in AAU ball and is rocketing up the rankings. The UA has quite a strong bond with the Soliders as of right now, seeing as Josiah Turner, Nick Johnson and Brandon Ashley have all played on the team. 

As for Bird's recruitment, while he has named no leaders, Arizona has been on him since the early going and it would not surprise anyone if he ends up a Wildcat. Oregon, California, Washington, and others are all heavily involved in the wing as well.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Arizona for complete coverage of UA hoops and recruiting. For more Cats news, check out Arizona Desert Swarm.

Derrick Williams Continues To Help Arizona Basketball

Derrick Williams' accomplishments at the University of Arizona have been well documented. The All-American forward led the team in scoring his sophomore season, carried the team to an elite eight appearance, and was eventually selected with the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft.

Despite no longer occupying a spot on the Wildcats roster, Williams' impact continues to affect the UA program.

Bruce Pascoe talked with Williams on the future of his basketball career and the Arizona program:

"I went to Arizona expecting a four-year career and took two years off of that," Williams said. "I think it was a good thing for my family and especially Arizona as well because they've seen all that I've done individually. That just makes more recruits go there and win more games, too."

Since Williams was taken No. 2 overall, the Wildcats have received commitments from Grant Jerrett, Gabe York and Brandon Ashley, while also continuing to get in the door with more Top 25 prospects from multiple classes.

For high school players looking to get to the next level, it is all about exposure and which program will do the most for them to achieve their dreams. When someone like Derrick Williams -- who was not nearly as highly regarded as Jerrett, York and Ashley are out of high school -- propels his team to excellence and eventually a high draft selection, players around the country notice. This is great news for Sean Miller and his coaching staff as they prepare for the future.

For more Wildcats coverage, check out AZ Desert Swarm.

Brandon Ashley To Arizona: Get To Know The Newest Wildcat

Brandon Ashley is the newest member to Sean Miller's top-ranked recruiting class for 2012. While many have heard of his unlimited ability and potential on the court, not everyone has seen it. Here is a video compilation of the senior-to-be's stellar play on the AAU circuit over the summer months:

(via Yayareasfinest2006)

Get excited, Wildcats fans. He'll be on campus in less than 12 months.

Arizona Wildcats Head Coach Sean Miller Is Doing Something Special

Sean Miller saved Arizona Wildcats basketball. Now, he has the future looking as bright as it ever has in Tucson.

Brandon Ashley Talks About Wildcat Decision (Video)

Brandon Ashley Commits, Wildcats Have No. 1 Ranked Recruiting Class

Brandon Ashley is an Arizona Wildcat.

After months of reportedly leading in the recruitment for the best forward on the west coast, Ashley finally pulled the trigger and committed to Sean Miller and UA on Monday afternoon.

Brandon played his first three years of high school in the Bay Area, though the coveted recruit has moved to basketball powerhouse Findlay Prep for his senior year. It will prepare him for the grind of the college season and only get the forward that much better.

Wildcat fans can thank freshmen Josiah Turner and Nick Johnson for luring Ashley to Tucson; the three players were teammates on the Oakland Soliders, a top-level AAU club, and were the hosts whenever Brandon visited the campus.

With the commitment, the Wildcats now have the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the country for 2012. Grant Jerrett, a very talented big man in his own-right, and Gabe York, who was born to score points and create for his teammates, are the other two commits for the class. 5-star center Kaleb Tarczewski could also pledge to Arizona in the coming weeks. 

ESPN's recruiting experts had this blurb on the commitment.

The Wildcats are on top of the basketball recruiting world again, however, these Wildcats are from Arizona and not Kentucky. With the addition of Brandon Ashley, the No. 4 overall player in the 2012 class, coach Sean Miller's Wildcats fly past Indiana, which was entrenched at the top since the beginning.

Arizona now has two recruits in the top 10 overall and three in the top 40.

This is a huge win for Sean Miller's program. Brandon Ashley was his primary target for the class and has been for more than a year now.

Welcome to the Wildcat family, Brandon. It was meant to be.

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Nate Britt, 2013 PG, Unofficially Visits Tucson

Brandon Ashley wasn't the only prominent top level recruit that ended up taking a trip down to Sean Miller's rising Arizona Wildcats program. Nate Britt was also on the premises, according to Dave Telep of ESPN and numerous other sources. Britt received an early offer from Arizona, and it looks like there could be something there that justifies handing it out.

Britt is one of the top point guards in the country for the 2013 recruiting class, ranked 33rd overall by Rivals and 15th by the ESPNU100. Here's video of some of his sophomore highlights:

(via Prominent44)

(via Prominent44)

Britt might be a much harder get than Ashley. Ashley is a West Coast product and was targeted early and worked hard by Miller on his trips to the Bay Area. Ashley's subsequent transfer to the closer Findlay Prep also seemed like a solid sign that he was strongly considering the nearby Arizona basketball program. Ashley is a natural fit for the type of offense Arizona likes to run, and the program provides the perfect building block for him to get to the pros.

Britt is an East Coast player straight from the District of Columbia. So already all the local programs--Maryland, Georgetown, Virginia, Villanova, Rutgers, Seton Hall--are looking closely at him. Still, the fact that Britt would come on an unofficial all the way out West looks like a good sign that he is seriously considering relocation. And Arizona seems to always end up in the top 5 of whatever prospect they offer, so don't expect him to just shrug Arizona aside.

Brandon Ashley Visits Arizona Wildcats, Meets With Sean Miller

Brandon Ashley could be nearing a decision on which college he will attend next fall. The five-star big man visited Tucson and the Arizona Wildcats on Sunday after spending his weekend in Los Angeles at the Boost Mobile Elite 24 Game. He reportedly had a great visit to the campus and it appears UA's lead in his recruitment has only increased after the unexpected visit.

Ashley, who will play his senior season at basketball powerhouse Findlay Prep in Nevada, is the most coveted forward on the west coast and is one of the best prospects in the country. A commitment to Sean Miller's program at Arizona would be absolutely huge for the Wildcats.

The other teams listed in Ashley's top-four are the Oregon Ducks, Kentucky Wildcats and UCLA Bruins. While it is always concerning to a fan whenever they see UK and John Calipari's name involved in a recruitment, it appears to be a two team race between Oregon and Arizona at this point. That being said, he is Arizona's to lose, according to PointGuardU and other recruiting websites.

Stay tuned. A commitment could be coming soon after the great visit.

For more UA coverage, check out Arizona Desert Swarm.

Kaleb Tarczewski Decision Coming Soon Between Arizona and Kansas

It is a two team race to land Kaleb Tarczewski, one of the most talented centers in all of the country for the class of 2012. Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats are one of those teams, Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks are the other.

Recruiting site PointGuardU of the Coast2Coast Hoops Network has been on top of Tarczewski's recruitment. Here were highlights from their latest update:

The prevailing sentiment from most recruiting prognosticators is that a decision from Tarczewski could come any day now. However, that speculation is based on nothing more than presumption and the timetable of Zeus going back to school on September 9th.

In actuality, sources close to the recruitment have told PGU that a decision is more likely to come in early September as the battle between Arizona and Kansas continues. Both teams feel good about their chances and are doing everything they can to gain the final advantage. That battle has Tarczewski torn between which school he will attend and thus a decision isn't likely to come "any day now."

As for the leader? The media and fans can speculate all they'd like, but here is the truth to the situation:

Some days Tarczewski wakes up wanting to go to Kansas, and some days he wakes up wanting to go to Arizona. It isn't clear if more time will help him make a decision, or if he will just wake up one day ready to commit. There's no reason for Tarczewski to rush such a big decision, and so taking all the time he can makes sense.

Selecting which college to attend is a huge decision for any teenager, let alone one who was coveted by nearly every big program in the country with a solid basketball background. 

No one is certain what the final factor will be that separates one school from the other. It's still a two horse race between Arizona and Kansas and we still ask that you don't believe that Kansas is the leader. That information is inaccurate and has been for some time now. At this point, being the leader means nothing. All either school cares about is being the last one standing.

Which program will be the last one standing whenever Tarczewski makes a decision? We'll find out sometime in the next two or three weeks. Stay tuned...

Stay tuned to SB Nation Arizona for all Wildcats recruiting news. For more coverage, check out AZ Desert Swarm.

Torren Jones, 2013 Chandler PF/C, Offered By Arizona Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats basketball keeps on looking for elite talent, but also seem willing to take on the good players as well. Sean Miller isn't wasting anytime handing out the 2013 offers locally. Torren Jones is one of his first targets; Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports reports that the Chandler, Arizona product who plays his high school ball in Basha received offers from Arizona and Colorado. Jones says Arizona sticks out along with UCLA, USC, Kansas and Iowa State.  He's ranked as the 69th best recruit among the top 100 by Rivals and is ranked as the 29th best power forward in his class by ESPN.

Jones isn't quite the specimen that Brandon Ashley or Aaron Gordon currently are, but he definitely is a presence with plenty of upside. When more polished players move on after one or two years, Jones could be the type of guy who sticks around three or four. He provides a Division I team with quality depth in big men, something many Pac-12 teams generally struggle with as attrition runs deep.

For more on Wildcats basketball recruiting, go to Arizona Desert Swarm.

Brandon Ashley Top 4: Arizona, Kentucky, Oregon, UCLA

Brandon Ashley is getting situated at the basketball factory school of Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada. But he might be committing long before he gets a chance to play with them. Ashley had situated a top 7 a few weeks ago, and now he's trimmed that list even further.

Ashley told Ryan Greene of the Las Vegas Sun his final four schools.

• Arizona Wildcats: Long considered the favorites. Sean Miller identified the Bay Area early in the recruiting process, and Ashley is perhaps the most coveted of all those players. He would give Arizona an instant impact big who could dominate the Pac-12 for a year or two, like Derrick Williams did last season.
• Kentucky Wildcats: Never count out John Calipari. Although his speciality is with sending point guards to the league, Calipari can point to DeMarcus Cousins as well as a big man talent that he's brought up to the next level. It's really tempting to play for Kentucky, even if the competition for playing time would be fiercer.
• Oregon Ducks: They're a wild card in this race, but Ashley seems interested at the thought of rebuilding the program and becoming the anchor for a new age of Oregon basketball. Don't count them out.
• UCLA Bruins: Surprisingly, UCLA might be the dark horse in this race. Ashley does seem deferential toward the Bruins, but they are not mentioned as much as the first three teams. But they're on the final cut, so they're not out of it yet.

For more on recruiting, check out our various SB Nation college sites: Arizona Desert Swarm (Arizona), A Sea of Blue (Kentucky), Addicted to Quack (Oregon), and Bruins Nation (UCLA)

Arizona Wildcats Among The Finalists For Robert Upshaw

The Wildcats already have two commitments for their recruiting class of 2012 and they're looking to add at least one more player to the mix, if not two. One of those players is big man Robert Upshaw out of San Joaquin Memorial High School in Freno, California.

PointGuardU.com tweeted the info yesterday on the remaining teams in Upshaw's recruitment:

Robert Upshaw has cut his list to USC, Arizona, Georgetown, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Oklahoma State, UNLV and Fresno State

That is quite the mix of teams. The days of top-California prospects staying in-state are pretty much gone; while a few of them may elect to stay home, a good majority of them are heading out across the country to continue their basketball careers. 

Upshaw has not indicated he is close to any kind of a decision and he is likely a player who will sign in the spring. He also is yet to announce any planned official or unofficial visits now that the list is trimmed to his top-10, though those visits will likely start to come in the next six months or so.

As for the big man himself, he comes in at 6'10 and 240 pounds. Ranked in the top-50 of just about every scouting website's rankings database, Upshaw has the skill and potential to be a beast down low.

This is pure speculation on my part, but if Arizona is able to land Kaleb Tarczewski -- who is expected to make a decision any day now between the Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks -- they would completely back off Upshaw. If for some reason Tarczewski elects Kansas, then Sean Miller would likely put the full-court press on Upshaw throughout his senior season. 

Arizona Wildcats Lead For 2013 SG Tyree Robinson

Tyree Robinson is still young and developing as a player, but it looks like the Arizona Wildcats are already expressing interest in him. The San Diego guard who plays at Lincoln (but also with the fabled Oakland Soldiers AAU squad) took an unofficial to Tucson and loved what he saw. PointGuardU interviewed Robinson after his visit and he was doing everything except chanting "U-of-A!" in his answers.

"I like the school and I really like the relationship I have with the coaches," said Robinson. "What I like most is they kept it straight up with me."

...

"Coach Miller loves me and said I can fit into the up tempo style of play," Robinson said. "He said he likes that I do whatever it takes to win and that I do the small things to lead my team to victory."

...

"After the visit Arizona is on the top of my list and I have a great feel for it," Robinson told PGU. "I love Mckale and it doesn't matter who Arizona plays it's always going to be a packed house."

Robinson is currently one of the top 20 players in the Class of 2013 by Rivals and seems poised for a breakout season. The offers should soon start popping his way from the major schools if all goes well. Already standing tall at 6'4", Robinson is showing definite elite-level athletics in many facets of his game when you watch him on tape.

(via SportsOnTheSide)

Now the question is, will Arizona offer him? All indications are that if Robinson gets that, he'd be ready to sign to Tucson on the spot. Regardless of whether Robinson ends up in Arizona or not, it's pretty big that Miller is able to generate that much love for Arizona this early in the process.

For more on Arizona basketball recruiting, go to Arizona Desert Swarm.

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett, Gabe York Selected For Elite 24

Sean Miller is recruiting the best talent in the country to come play for the Arizona Wildcats. Need proof? Of the players selected for the Boost Mobile Elite 24, two of them are committed to UA -- Grant Jerrett and Gabe York -- and Brandon Ashley has the Wildcats right at the top of his list. Miller and his staff are also targeting other players at the game as well.

What is the Boost Mobile Elite 24? According to ESPN, it is the nation's leading elite high school boys' basketball event for underclassmen. Players are chosen based on their performance at AAU events by high school basketball experts from ESPNHS, ESPN College Basketball Recruiting and other top talent evaluators. Only the best of the best make this game.

Arizona fans may recall Nick Johnson was selected for this game last season, as was Arizona State's Jahii Carson.

As for the event itself, it is held in Los Angeles on August 26-27 at beautiful Venice Beach. The 2011 Boost Mobile Elite 24 (Saturday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. ET) and the Under Armour Slam Dunk Contest (Friday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m.) will both air live on ESPNU. Make sure to set your DVRs.

A big congratulations to all of the players, but especially one to Grant, Gabe and Brandon. 

ASU Basketball Roster: Bo Barnes Transfers From Hawaii To Sun Devils

Bo Barnes is a product of Phoenix, and apparently even the sunny confines of the Hawaiian islands weren't enough to tempt Barnes away from deciding to come back to his home state. Barnes decided to transfer to the Arizona St. Sun Devils and Herb Sendek's squad. Per NCAA transfer rules he will sit out the 2011-12 season but but eligible for the subsequent season. 

There isn't much on Barnes to go by when it comes to scouting reports--he averaged a respectable 7 points per game as a true freshman, played all 32 games (only two players who could claim that feat for ASU), but most noticeably shot 38.8 percent from downtown and knocked down the most threes as a frosh in Hawaii basketball history. In his limited minutes, he was also pretty good at not turning the ball over, but it looks like Barnes was brought on the floor to shoot the ball, so his ball-handling was not a big deal.

As you can probably guess by now, Barnes's speciality appears to be shooting.

(via scaball24)

Could Herb Sendek have found his replacement for Rihards Kuksiks?

For more on ASU basketball recruiting, House of Sparky is where to turn to.

ASU Basketball Recruiting: Alex Caruso (SG, 2012) Has Sun Devils In Top 6

Alex Caruso from College Station is fast rising up recruiting boards. Rivals has him ranked as the 10th best shooting guard in the land and 63rd in their Rivals250. ESPN also has him rated fairly highly, with a grade of 92 and the 20th best SG in the class. Caruso broke out at the Pangos All-American Camp two months ago and figures to continue to attract the attention of major D-I programs.

What might make this recruiting process so anti-climactic for Caruso is that he plays his college ball at College Station. Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports confirms that his top 6 has the Arizona St. Sun Devils, Colorado Buffaloes, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Richmond Spiders...but it also has the hometown Texas A&M Aggies, who figure to be hard to beat. Caruso mentioned that he's probably partial to A&M at Pangos, so Herb Sendek and ASU will have to work hard to make inroads.

For more on ASU basketball recruiting, House of Sparky is your spot. For more on Texas A&M basketball, go to I Am The 12th Man.

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Kaleb Tarczewski Down To UA, Kansas

Kaleb Tarczewski is one of the best big men in the class of 2012. Arizona already has one of the best recruiting classes in the nation lined up for 2012. Will Tarczewski be adding to that stellar class? What was originally seen as a long-shot is now no longer as farfetched as before and could become a legit possibility.

Many believed Tarczewski and Kansas were an inevitable match and it was only a matter of time before the two joined up. He has visited their campus many times and KU was one of the first programs to recruit the center out of New Hampshire. Sean Miller has made a late push, though, and the Wildcats are right in the middle of Tarczewski's recruitment.

PointGuardU.com of the Coast2Coast Hoops network recently caught up with the 2012 big man and gave us a great interview. Here are some of the highlights:

Tarczewski is taking his time because he understands what a big decision choosing a college is.

"I want to be comfortable with the coaches and players and go to a place that maximizes my potential," said Tarczewski. "You only get to go to college once and I want to have a good time and get better on and off the court."

Tarczewski certainly thinks that could happen at Arizona.

"Arizona is a fun place, definitely different than New Hampshire," said Tarczewski. "It'd be nice to change things up for a few years. They have great players on the team, and great coaches. Coach Miller is a great coach and I had a really good visit there."

The article continues...

While Arizona continues to impress, Tarczewski has not forgotten about Kansas. But just because he liked Kansas in the past doesn't necessarily mean it's the best place for him moving forward.

"Kansas' track record with bigs speaks for itself," Tarczewski said. "It's definitely a factor that Kansas has recruited me for two years and were one of the first big schools to offer me but it's all going to come down to where I feel most comfortable at. "

That comfort level starts at the top, with head coach Sean Miller.

"Coach Miller has told me all about the school and that he is devoted to his players," said Tarczewski. "He's just like us and that's really important to me if I go that far from home. That's what draws me to him."

Landing Tarczewski would be absolutely huge for Sean Miller and Arizona, not to mention it would be a huge blow to Kansas' recruiting efforts. That's always nice. 

Grant Jerrett and Gabe York have already committed for the 2012 class. Brandon Ashley is rumored to have Arizona towards the top of his list and Miller desperately wants him. Those three along with Tarczewski would undoubtably be the top-class in the nation and mayhem would ensue across Tucson. Nothing is a done deal, but the article ends with this:

Anyone following the Kaleb Tarczewski recruitment should know that it's a two horse race between Arizona and Kansas. Anything else you read is false. Tarczewski will make his decision in the next few weeks, and we suggest fans do not believe that Kansas is the favorite.

Bear Down.

ASU Basketball Recruiting: Calaen Robinson Commits To Sun Devils

The Arizona St. Sun Devils picked up a key commitment today when point guard Calaen Robinson decided to sign up for the 2012 recruiting class. It's always nice to see a local kid end up at a local school--Robinson hails from Corona Del Sol right in Tempe. Robinson also had offers from Weber State and Saint Mary's, but ended up going with the Devils and joins Kenny Martin and Eric Jacobsen in Herb Sendek's class. Josh Gershon of Scout broke the original story (UPDATE: ASUDevils.com, the Arizona State Rivals site, apparently broke the story first.)

(via PointguardUcom)

When you watch Robinson on tape, one thing becomes pretty clear--his dominant hand is his left hand. He does a nice job using both hands, but he seems to be generally finish with the left. Robinson is also a bit lanky, so he'll probably have to add a little weight on. He generally seems to be able to get to the basket, so it's unclear how good his mid-range jumper is. He might need to develop some intermediary moves between the three point shot and the drive and finish layup.

For more on ASU basketball, check out House of Sparky.

Also, check out this recent interview with Robinson at the Magic Memorial Day Tournament at CSU Dominguez. Robinson claims his strengths are his work ethic and his defense, while he needs to improve overall strength and his ability to finish with his right hand.

 (via NextLevelConnect)

Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Chris Thomas (2013 SG, Phoenix) Receives Kentucky Offer

Westwind Prep International phenom Chris Thomas appears to be the next big guard target down the line for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. Thomas received an offer from the Nation of Blue a few days ago, and he seemed really excited about the opportunity to be playing for them. Check out the interview below courtesy of Bluegrass Hoops.

BluegrassHoops.com: 2013 Guard Chris Thomas Talks Kentucky (via Coast2Coasthoops)

For those who couldn't watch the interview, here are some of the quotables (slightly paraphrased) Thomas had about Kentucky basketball.

Interviewer: Coach you've been hearing from the coaches at Kentucky anytime recently?

Thomas: Yeah I have. I've seen John Calipari in my games at Vegas and Milwaukee...it's been going kind of good...

Interviewer: You see Calipari or [assistant coach Orlando] Antigua or both of those guys?

Thomas: I've seen both of those guys. Both of those guys was in the building. Calipari, I like him...

Interviewer: What kind of things has he telling you about Kentucky?

Thomas: ...My game fits Kentucky's game. If I was to go to Kentucky I'd fit in ... I really like the coaching staff.

Interviewer: You ever been to Kentucky?

Thomas: ...I ain't never been to Kentucky!

Interviewer: You like how they put guards in the league?

Thomas: Yeah I like how they put guards in the league and I like their play style...they run, they run, they like to shoot the ball.

Thomas said later in the interview that he recently received a Kentucky offer.

Here are Thomas's big highlights from his sophomore season.

(via HoopmixtapeBlog)

Sean Miller might have his work cut out for him. Although Thomas is an in-state recruit, has an offer from Arizona, and is probably one of his top targets for next year's class, it's really hard for a guard to resist the allure of Calipari's dribble drive motion offense. Getting free rein to shoot the ball as often as possible is too tough to resist. Plus all one has to do is mention the names Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Brandon Knight, and the resume speaks for itself with any young aspiring guards.

For more on Kentucky basketball recruiting, head to A Sea of Blue. For more on Arizona basketball recruiting, check out Arizona Desert Swarm.

Arizona Wildcats Basketball Recruiting: Shabazz Muhammad Talks Tucson Visit (VIDEO)

The recruitment of perhaps the top high school basketball senior in the country continues unabated. Shabazz Muhammad from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas wrapped up his time at the Adidas 64 tournament this past weekend, and he was interviewed by Coast 2 Coast Hoops about the process of picking his school.

Muhammad talked fondly of the UCLA Bruins, but he also mentioned the Arizona Wildcats and how Sean Miller had recently picked up on the rising star's trail. Here's are the pertinent quotes (somewhat paraphrased) relative to his visit below.

Interviewer: "Now you did make it down to Arizona in June, was it as hot as it is here [in Vegas, site of the tournament]? What was it like?"

Muhammad: "It wasn't as hot as it is here, but I'm pretty much used to the heat here. So everybody's like, 'oh, it's hot, it's hot', but I'm just used to the heat and I just deal with it."

Interviewer: "What stood out to you the most in Tucson?"

Muhammad: "Um, yeah, I just love the location. It's two [to four] hours driving away from my house. It's real close. I have friends there and friends that are committed there right now."

Interviewer: "They just picked up Gabe York. I know you guys talk. What'd you tell him or what'd he tell you after he committed?"

Muhammad: "I just told him congratulations. I mean he's a great player, he can play either the one or the two, and if I did go to Arizona, we could be a great backcourt system and go from there."

Both UCLA and Arizona are the schools to watch with Muhammad if he decides to stay out west; both are relatively close to his hometown in Vegas and both seem to offer interesting appeals (UCLA provides academics and a great campus, Arizona with basketball peers and friends). And of course we can't count out the big programs in the East, who will have something to say about Muhammad before all is said and done.

Watch the rest of the interview below! For more on Arizona basketball, head to Arizona Desert Swarm.

 (via Coast2Coasthoops)

Arizona Wildcats Recruiting: Gabe York Commits, Will Bring Scoring Mentality To Tucson

Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats received some big news on Sunday afternoon. With multiple AAU tournaments taking place across the country, Gabe York, a combo guard from the class of 2012, gave his pledge to become a Wildcat. 

Here is what the talented soon-to-be senior told CBS Sports' Jeff Borzello:

"I felt in my heart that it was the right choice."

"I know I work harder than anyone there, so I'm very confident in what I can do there."

And ESPN's recruiting expert Paul Biancardi had this to say regarding York:

Word is out about Gabe York going to ZONA. Just watched him drop 46 big ones on Indy Elite . A prolific SPG. Eddie House /Dana Barros type!

He projects to play the 2-guard in college, though he has been working on his ball handling and passing this summer. Flexibility in the backcourt is always beneficial and he'll bring that to the Wildcats. York, who comes in at 6'2 and 185 pounds, is the second commit for the class and joins big man Grant Jerrett in a class that's shaping up to be among the best in the nation.

As for the upcoming months, Sean Miller and his staff will now turn their full attention to Brandon Ashley. If they can land the talented big man (and I have a great source saying they will), there's a chance the staff could turn their focus towards scouting the 2013 class. It has been reported that Miller would take a fourth commit should one of a select group of players want to play for the Wildcats, but it will be a big challenge convincing one (more) of the nation's elite to bring his talents to Tucson.

Stay tuned...

ASU Sun Devils Basketball Recruiting: 2012 Brings PF Eric Jacobsen

Arizona State hasn't had a legitimate power forward since Jeff Pendergraph graduated in 2008-09. They survived in 2009-10 with center Eric Boateng, but 2010-11 was a disaster for coach Herb Sendek in terms of big men on campus.

Perhaps that is why the commitment of Eric Jacobsen is such a pleasant surprise for Sun Devils fans. A product of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Jacobsen is 6'8" and 215 pounds. His frame is good for Division I basketball, and ESPN thinks this is a good find for the Sun Devils and Sendek:

"Eric is a good looking prospect," said ESPN Recruiting Coordinator Joel Francisco. "He's got a great frame and a high basketball I.Q. His length and shooting touch should warrant early playing time for the Sun Devils."

There are also several recruits considering the Sun Devils in 2012. Depending on where you look, there's a lot of different information. According to 247 Sports, Mater Dei (CA) shooting guard Katin Reinhardt has the Sun Devils very high on his list. At 6'5" and 190 pounds, he's a tall, lanky guard that played with ASU sophomore Keala King in high school.

Should King be able to convince the highly rated Reinhardt to attend school in Tempe, the guard position for Sendek would be in great hands with both King and Reinhardt complementing Jahii Carson for the next few years.

Other high-end recruits:

Shabazz Muhammad, SF: Muhammad is based out of Las Vegas and is considering ASU alongside schools like Duke, Kansas, UK and Arizona. Basically, he's a reach but he'd be a dream come true in Tempe. He's a lefty (like James Harden). Here's a video showing his mad skills.

Xavier Johnson, SF: Another product of Mater Dei, he is being hotly pursued by USC and UCLA. While both of those schools have already offered, Johnson has the link with King on his resume.

Ben Carter, PF: Carter visited in April and appeared to like what he saw (probably the dearth of big men, and the likelihood of immediate playtime upon arrival to campus). He's ranked 91 by ESPN.

Calaen Robinson, PG: Out of Corona Del Sol down the street in Tempe, Robinson is also left-handed. The Devils might look to add this PG to back up Carson and push him to be the best he can be. Adding quality prospects to vie for playing time is never a bad thing.

Other possible Devils in 2012 include: Javonte Hawkins, Demarquise Johnson, Demetris Morant, Demetrius Balark.

Expect to see a lot more commitments occur during November, with the next round coming up in March 2012.

Arizona Wildcats Basketball Recruiting: A Look At 2012 And Beyond

The college basketball recruiting class of 2012 is absolutely loaded and the Arizona Wildcats are right in the thick of things with some of the nation's elite prospects. This page will remain updated with the commitments Arizona receives for 2012, as well as any other commitments Sean Miller and his staff bring in for 2013 and beyond. It will also update with any breaking news stories or notable unofficial or official visits made to UA.

2012:

Committed:

Grant Jerrett - 6'10, 220 - Lutheran High School (La Verne, CA) - Highlights #1, Highlights #2 - 11/27/2010

Summary:

While not an athletic freak on the court, Grant Jerrett uses his size and fundamental approach to the game to dominate the opposition. Originally a raw, scrawny, high school prospect, Jerrett has gotten noticeably stronger and taller as his high school and AAU careers have progressed. He finishes around the rim with both a soft touch on the glass as well as elevating to the rim to throw one down. Rebounding is solid, though it could be improved.

Top-Targets:

1. Brandon Ashley - 6'9, 220 - Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV) - Highlights 

Ashley remains Sean Miller's top-priority in 2012 and a very reliable source (PointGuardU.com) has said there's a very good chance Brandon becomes a Wildcat. He's a physical freak on the court and has an improving jump shot and back-to-the-basket game. He and Jerrett are the two best power forwards on the west coast. The kid is a special player.

2. Shabazz Muhammad - 6'6, 215 - Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) - Highlights

Shabazz is wanted by just about every college program in the country and both he and Sean Miller know this. UCLA has had a big lead in Muhammad's recruitment for quite some time now and it's tough to imagine Arizona making up enough ground to land (arguably) the best player in a loaded 2012 class.

3. Mitch McGary - 6'10, 250 - Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, NH) - Highlights

McGary had a breakout junior season and might just be the hottest prospect in the nation right now. The lefty gets up and down the floor at a remarkable rate for a player of his size and is wanted by just about every Big East school in the conference. Arizona has made up a lot of ground and McGary has said location won't be a factor. His recruitment has been pretty quiet and played close to the vest, but if Sean Miller can get him on campus, most believe it would indicate Arizona is the frontrunner for McGary. Getting him on campus will be a challenge, though.

4. Robert Upshaw - 6'11, 240 - San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, CA) - Highlights

Upshaw, who might be one of the more prolific dunking big men in recent history, has been blowing up in recent weeks and had a coming out party in the NBA 100 Camp. A true back-to-the-basket big man, Upshaw uses his physical strength to out-power the opposition. UCLA has an early lead and just about everyone west of the MIssissippi River is recruiting him, but Arizona has been making up ground in recent weeks.

5. Kaleb Tarczewski - 7'0, 225 - St. Mark's High School (Southborough, MA) - Highlights

Tarczewski, who is widely-regarded as one of the two best centers in the nation, recently made an unofficial visit to Arizona. While Kansas currently leads in his recruitment, the fact that he and his entire family traveled 2,500 miles to pay UA an unofficial visit tells a lot about the kid and our chances with him.

6. Gabe York - 6'3, 175 - Lutheran (Orange, CA) - Highlights

There are some players born to score and Gabe York is one of those players. A combo-guard, York scores at will on the court and gets excellent elevation on his jumper. Defense is a concern, but that should improve at the next level. Arizona was recently listed in his list of top-4 schools along with Louisville, Marquette and Washington.

7. Katin Reinhardt - 6'5, 185 - Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) - Highlights

Reinhardt is somewhat of a late bloomer, but Arizona has been in on his recruitment for a while now and are pushing to get Katin on campus for a visit. Despite having the size of a 2-guard, Reinhardt is a phenomenal passer and has great vision on the court. His jump shot and defense could use improving, but he's still a promising prospect.

8. Rosco Allen - 6'8, 205 - Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) - Highlights

Rosco Allen's recruitment has been an interesting one. Towards the beginning of the 2012 recruiting period, Sean Miller and Arizona were going all-out for the talented forward. Since then, they have kind of backed off for various reasons before putting the full court press on once again. There's some damage to repair and lost time to make up for, but the Allen family has shown interest in Arizona before and we can only hope the relationship is repaired.

2012 Outlook - UPDATED 6/30/11

Arizona will take at least three players from the 2012 class. Grant Jerrett is already committed so that leaves room for two, and a third could be added depending on what transpires in the coming months. Assuming Brandon Ashley commits, UA will be looking to add a guard -- presumably York or Reinhardt; likely whoever wants to commit first -- and then potentially a third big man in McGary, Tarczewski or Upshaw should they want to commit as well. Sean Miller is bringing on as much talent as he can and he wouldn't turn down a top-ranked big man because of a potential roster conflict. Everything works itself out over time.