Mark Lyons will be the starting point guard in Tucson for the 2012-2013 season. The former Xavier guard, who originally committed to Sean Miller in what would be his final season coaching at XU, gave his pledge to the Arizona Wildcats on Sunday morning following his visit to campus.
He also visited John Calipari and the University of Kentucky earlier in the week, although Arizona was considered the heavy favorite throughout. A trip to Kansas was expected but never took place.
Lyons just tweeted his news.
I excited to be a wildcat!!!!!!
— Mark mooga Lyons (@Mooga_Mark) May 6, 2012
(And yes, he is referring to the Arizona Wildcats.)
This is an absolutely huge get for the Wildcats. With the departure of starting point guard Josiah Turner and recent transfer T.J. McConnell not eligible to play until 2013, Lyons immediately fills the void on what should be a preseason top-10 team. Some have questioned his leadership abilities on the court following the infamous brawl that took place between Xavier and Cincinnati last December, but all reports indicate he is a good kid who simply got caught up in the heat of a moment.
Lyons is more of a combo-guard instead of a true point guard, although he knows his only chance to make it in the NBA will be if he improves his passing and ball handling skills. At 6'2 and 185lbs, he certainly fits the mold of a prototypical point guard. As a redshirt junior last year with Xavier, Lyons averaged 15.5 points-per-game, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Welcome to the University of Arizona, Mark Lyons. Next season could be a magical one in Tucson.
For more on the Wildcats, check out AZ Desert Swarm.