Arizona basketball recruiting class has chance to be historically great

Off-court noise aside, the incoming Arizona basketball recruiting class that ranks tops in the nation has a chance to be awfully special.

The Arizona Wildcats are tremendously difficult to analyze and project right now. On-court questions exist, but nothing hangs over the Arizona program like the ongoing FBI trial into college basketball. 

The great unknown for the University of Arizona is so great, however, the upcoming season isn’t being delayed and the Wildcats will need to prepare as if their present environment will be maintained. 2018-2019 was a tremendous challenge for head coach Sean Miller and his players. Seven players were gone from the year before due to graduation or entries into the NBA Draft, such as the overall number one pick Deandre Ayton.

Miller’s Wildcats finished ninth in the Pac-12, but the young roster was able to gain some valuable experience along the way and still finish with an above .500 record. Guards Brandon Randolph and Brandon Williams, along with forward Chase Jeter are bringing their double-digit scoring averages back to Tuscon to compliment the heralded incoming freshman class.

Arizona’s incoming freshman class is the best in the country according to 247Sports following a decommitment for Duke. The Wildcats five-man class spans every position with plenty of competitiveness, firepower, and playmaking. A true testament to the quality of this class is that four of the Wildcats five commits are ranked in the top-60 of their class. It should also be noted that Max Hazzard is an incoming graduate transfer from UC-Irvine.

Below you will find a brief scouting report on the incoming recruit and what this means for Kentucky. The numbers in parenthesis next to a player’s name are indicative of their rank according to 247Sports.

Arizona basketball recruiting class signees

• Nico Mannion (9) – Will be one of youngest freshman in the country as he reclassified into 2019 from 2020. Keep age in mind as he is still growing into his body and his bodies capabilities such as athleticism and strength. A do-everything guard from playmaking to scoring. Can score at every level and make passes. Does not create any self-inflicted wounds such as turnovers. Plays as fiery as his red hair, which was evident in all-star circuit against other players, especially Cole Anthony. Has the potential to be a freshman standout.
• Josh Green (13) – Australian import who has continued to expand his game to match his physical advantages. Big, strong, and fast while also possessing a good innate feel for the game. Was earlier known more as a slasher but reports said that he has greatly improved his ball skills and shooting this past year. Another great competitor who will hold his own defensively and attack the glass.
• Zeke Nnaji (39) – A combination of a modern and throwback forward. Modern by running well and will certainly be used in the pick-and-roll to rim-run. Throwback by caring about his post game as well as shooting from the midrange. Defensive mobility is a plus. Has a wingspan only slightly longer than he is. Needs to add strength to reach his defensive ceiling.
• Terry Armstrong (60) – Likely a multi-year prospect who can step in right away with his energy and toughness. A physical player who will be able to play and defend the 1 or 2. Not a great shooter or athlete at this moment but profiles as the college player that will need a few years to truly excel. High ceiling potential if development occurs.
• Christian Koloko (173) – Another multi-year prospect who has tremendous length. A legitimate seven-footer with a plus wingspan. Physically underdeveloped, not even 200 pounds. Very rudimentary offensive game. Will likely be able to make some impact defensively as a freshman but the key to his career is a commitment to the weight room and adding some diversity of his offensive game.

What the incoming class means for Arizona in 2019-2010

The Wildcats are more than set at the guard spot heading into next season. Coach Miller will have at least four capable players of handling the point as well as being at least two-deep on the wing. Next season will definitely be a guard-heavy team. There will likely be an underrated amount of pressure on Nnaji to get up to speed with the college game so that there is another quality big along with Jeter.

There will be plenty of back-court and wing scoring along with the ability to play high-level defense. However, it cannot be understated that Arizona is still relying on a large freshman class to come in and have a profound impact immediately. It is too early to see how the incoming freshman will acclimate to the college game, and how much time will potentially be needed for a potential acclimation process.

Arizona will definitely be able to compete for a Pac-12 title and perhaps a trip to the Final Four if their heralded freshmen are able to meet their lofty expectations.