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.