Arizona Elite Camp a dream for participants
On June 30th through July 2nd, several of the country's best prospects will be in town for the Lute Olson Elite Skill Development Camp and it will likely be an experience that none of them will forget.
Olson and the UA coaching staff have aligned a dream team of ex-Wildcats to serve as camp counselors throughout the weekend. The following players are all schedule to attend:
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Mike Bibby
Jason Terry
Steve Kerr
Richard Jefferson
Luke Walton
Jason Gardner
Andre Iguodala
Corey Williams
A.J. Bramlett
Gilbert Arenas (unconfirmed)
Also, from talking to various sources, we expect the following players to attend the camp. This list is unconfirmed, but everyone below should be in Tucson:
Class of 2006
Chase Budinger, SF/SG
Quincy Pondexter, SF
Budinger and Pondexter are two of Arizona's biggest recruits for the 2006 class. While Budinger is confirmed and ready to go, Pondexter still hasn't made official plans to come to Tucson. However, he did tell GOAZCATS.com that he fully expects to go.
Rumors have had Arizona in the lead for both Budinger and Pondexter. With all of the ex-Wildcats that are going to be at camp, Arizona will only improve its standing.
"I'm still working on the dates with my family," Pondexter said. "We don't have a plane ticket yet but I'm definitely coming."
Class of 2007
Jerryd Bayless, CG
Drew Viney, SG
Keith Olson, C
Clint Amberry, PF
DeAndre Bynum, SG
Daniel Hackett, SG
James Harden, SG
Kamyron Brown, PG
The majority of Arizona's big name campers are from the 2007 class. The biggest name here is obviously Bayless, who could be Arizona's top target in the next few recruiting classes.
Viney is one of the top shooting guards in the West Coast and Jacobson is a 7-foot center that already holds n Arizona offer. Olson last visited for Midnight Madness and is thought to have big time potential.
Amberry is another 2007 big man and plays at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California. Bynum plays at White Station High School, where he teamed up last year with current Wildcat J. P. Prince.
Hackett is a 6-5 shooting guard from Downey, California that is being evaluated by the UA coaches still. Harden shares the backcourt of Artesia High School with fellow camper Malik Story. Brown is the cousin of future Arizona assistant coach Miles Simon.
Class of 2008
Brandon Jennings, PG
Malik Story, SF
Jennings is one of the top point guard prospects in the country and Story is another big time target.
Class of 2009
G.J. Vilarino
Vilarino is a rather new target but you'll be hearing his name a lot from here on out. The 5-foot-9 Phoenix shooting guard is rated by some publications as the number one player in his class.
The camp starts Thursday night but fans are asked not to attend that evening's practice session. On Friday and Saturday, McKale Center will be open.
Practice sessions are from 9:30am to 12:00pm and 7:00pm and 9:00 pm on Friday and 8:15am and 10:15am on Saturday.
It should be noted that Arizona freshmen Fendi Onobun, Marcus Williams, J.P. Prince and David Bagga will all be participating in camp.
GOAZCATS.com promises to bring you exclusive coverage of the Arizona Elite Camp throughout the weekend.
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-Josh Gershon, Senior Writer
GOAZCATS.com
JGAZ23@aol.com