Head coach Sean Miller and the Arizona men’s basketball team received recruit Grant Jerrett’s letter of intent on Monday, completing the signing of the Wildcats’ four-man 2012 class.
Miller called the class of Jerrett, Brandon Ashley, Kaleb Tarczewski and Gabe York the “deepest and most versatile team we’ve had in our short time.”
Ashley, Tarczewski and York all signed letters of intent on Nov. 9.
Miller credited the Wildcats’ 2011 Pacific 10 Conference Championship and Elite Eight run as major selling points for the program. The 2012 class, ranked No. 1 in the country, according to ESPN, is the next step in Millers’ rebuilding of the Arizona program and follows the 2011 class that was ranked No. 7.
“They’re humble kids. They’re winners that the programs that they’re in right now,” Miller said. “They play in a team environment where winning is in the forefront of everything they do.”
Here’s Millers’ analysis of each of his four recruits:
Brandon Ashley
Position: SF/PF
Height/Weight: 6-foot-8, 215 pounds
School: Findlay College Prep
Miller says: “He’s playing against the best,” Miller said of Ashley, who he began recruiting when Ashley was sophomore. “Really believe in him as a person. He’s a winner.” Miller also noted how prepared Brandon Ashley would be when he arrives at Arizona, drawing comparison to current guard Nick Johnson, who also hails from Findlay Prep.
Using the combination of Ashley and Jerrett at the 3 and 4 positions is something Miller said he would explore.
Miller also said that Ashley could be a viable option at either forward slot, noting that Ashley reminded Miller “of someone like Richard Jefferson at that position.”
Kaleb Tarczewski
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 7-foot, 220 pounds
School: St. Mark’s School (Mass.)
Miller says: Tarczewski was the last recruit to verbally commit to Arizona on Oct. 31.
Arizona was in competition with Kansas, which seemed to be the favorite for Tarczewski’s pick until late in the recruiting period.
“Very seldom is it possible to get a 7-footer,” Miller said. “He can run, he’s got real good hands, he’s physical, he loves the low post.”
Miller also talked about the possibility of expanding Tarczewski’s game to more than just working around the basket, saying that it would be a work in progress.
Grant Jerrett
Position: PF
Height/Weight: 6-foot-10, 220 pounds
School: La Verne Lutheran
Miller says: Although the last to sign a letter of intent, Jerrett was the first of the 2012 to verbally commit to Arizona.
“Momentum is a big part of recruiting, and he was our first commitment and gave us credibility early in the process,” Miller said.
Miller noted Jerrett’s versatility and size, along with his extremely long arms could be a major impact for the Wildcats.
“Grant has great hands, the best is yet to come,” Miller said. “(He’s a) terrific rebounder, very versatile.”
Gabe York
Position: SG
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 170 pounds
School: Orange Lutheran High School
Miller says: Gabe York could possibly playin the backcourt with Nick Johnson as a one-two punch combination.
“Gabe is an exceptional scorer who can shoot the 3,” Miller said. “His ability to score is really exciting.”
Miller contrasted the two styles of the guards, noting that Johnson drives to the basket more while York prefers to shoot more often.
York’s scoring ability would make the transition from high school to college easier, according to Miller.
“If you can really shoot the ball, the game seems to come easier the adjustment is a little bit simpler,” Miller said.
