Fifth-year Arizona head basketball coach Sean Miller worked his recruiting magic once more as top 2014 power forward recruit Craig Victor verbally committed Saturday morning to the Wildcats.
Victor, a native of New Orleans, stands at 6-foot-7 and 205 pounds. ESPN Recruiting Nation ranks Victor as a four-star and the nation’s 31st overall recruit, while Rivals and Scout have him as a five-star.
Victor, who chose Arizona over LSU, Oklahoma State and Kansas, will play his senior season of high school basketball at powerhouse Findlay College Prep in Henderson, Nev., the alma mater of fellow Wildcats Nick Johnson and Brandon Ashley. Last season at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, Victor averaged 14.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and three blocks per game on 60 percent shooting from the field.
Though he is slender, Victor has a solid frame and scouts rave about his skills in the post. On offense he predominately plays with his back to the basket. If Victor’s athleticism and outside game can improve, scouts have said he could turn into a small forward. Findlay Prep and its head coach Michael Peck are well-known for the ability to mature college prospects and make them NCAA ready.
This signing could be critical for Miller and Arizona. Current center Kaleb Tarczewski and forwards Aaron Gordon and Ashley could all be eying the NBA after next season, leaving a huge hole down low for Arizona in 2014.
Victor joins a small 2014 recruiting class that right now only includes 5-foot-8 point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright. However, Arizona is waiting for responses from seven five-star recruits.