Friday rewind: The week in UA recruiting
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The basketball live evaluation period is in full swing now at this point in July, and there are coaches all over the country looking for future prospects to add to their programs. There are a few big tournaments all over the country, so there are plenty of Arizona recruits in action.
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Even though it's a big time for basketball recruiting, the football recruiting cycle doesn't stop. The Wildcats still have 22 commitments, but there are still plenty of prospects considering their options.
With plenty to discuss this week, here is a look back at the week in UA recruiting.
On the football side of things one prospect to keep an eye on is San Diego (Calif.) Torrey Pines offensive tackle Jacob Alsadek. The 6-foot-7 recruit performed well at Vanderbilt's camp and he's hoping to earn an offer.
"I don't plan to go to any more camps but I don't have any idea when I'm going to commit. I don't think it will be soon," Alsadek told BuffStampede.com this week. "I got a Washington State offer yesterday and I'm planning an official [visit] to Arizona State. Also, I am trying to get out to Kansas State next week.
"I want to take a look at every option that I have and make the best choice for my family and I."
Alsadek recently told GOAZCATS.com that playing time is one of the factors in his recruitment, and he feels that he could have that opportunity at UA.
"Being able to play as much as I can, because that's what is going to give a chance to play at the next level," he said. "The more experience that you have and more time you have on the field, then you increase your chances of playing longer - which is my ultimate goal to play as long as I can."
Three-star athlete recruit Jake Roh continues to take his time with the recruiting process as he is in no rush to make a decision. The Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral standout holds offers from UA, Duke and Oregon State. At 6-foot-3 and 200-pounds, Roh has the potential to play many different positions. However, it is on the defensive side of the ball where he thinks he will end up.
"Some schools are saying H-Back but a lot lately have liked me at safety or linebacker," he told Rivals.com this week. "I think a lot of the people around me that I trust, like my high school coaches, think I'm going to be better on defense when it's all said and done. That will play into it a little bit."
The Wildcats continue to do well with Roh, but he has continued to say all programs are equal in his recruitment. At this point there is no set timetable for a decision from the rising senior.
"I was going to try to commit before the season but now that I haven't been able to get out to as many schools I think it will probably be a little bit later," he said. "My high school coaches have told me that since I only have a little bit of film at outside linebacker that more (offers) will come when people see my first three or four games. I think if I send out some more tape I could get more offers."
There is of course plenty to talk about when it comes to the basketball side of things during this time of year, and with no commitments for 2013 yet the Wildcats are evaluating all their options.
One big target for many programs is five-star recruit Aaron Gordon, who made his return from injury during the Peach Jam this week. As has long been the case, the San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty standout is focusing on a select group of schools. But the explosive prospect came out this week and said that two are standing out above the rest.
At this point UA and Washington have an edge over the other schools he's considering, which includes Kentucky. Kansas, Oregon and Stanford are the other three programs he is currently focusing on.
Gordon is still searching for the right fit and the head coach will have a lot to do with his decision in the end.
"I'm looking for a coach that really understands me, that's able to talk to me," he told CatsIllustrated.com this week. "He doesn't talk at me but talks with me and talks to me. He figures out what's going to benefit me and what's (best for) my well-being. I also want to look for a very up-tempo, very unselfish very principle-oriented college basketball team."
Along with looking at their options for 2013, the Wildcats have also been watching prospects from other classes as well. It's no secret that UA is hoping to add a point guard for the 2014 class, and there are quite a few solid options for the program.
UA has already offered Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola standout Parker Jackson-Cartwright, and it watched another Southern California standout last weekend.
Four-star recruit Jordan McLaughlin is right up there with Jackson-Cartwright in terms of talent, but they have very different approaches to the game. The Loyola recruit is much more comfortable playing the role of a traditional point guard, while McLaughlin has really looks to score quite a bit.
Both are very good at what they do and that has plenty of college programs interested. UA has not offered McLaughlin, but the staff has certainly had their eye on him in July.
"They wanted me to come out on a trip this summer, but I don't think I'll be able to make because my schedule is so busy," he said about the Wildcats. "But I'm going to definitely try and get out there on an unofficial soon."
One thing that sticks out about UA to the Etiwanda, Calif., prospect is the Wildcats' style of play.
"They run a lot of pick-and-rolls and I like that," McLaughlin said. "It will make me smart on the pick and rolls, because that's what the NBA is - pick and rolls. And then they get up and down, just like I like to do."
McLaughlin said he doesn't intend to make a decision until his senior year.
Another option for the Wildcats down the line could be North Las Vegas (Nev.) Canyon Springs guard Shaquile Carr. The Wildcats also watched the rising junior last weekend and is an impressive prospect.
Carr only holds an offer from UNLV at this point but he has gained interest from many different programs.
"They like that I've got size and that I can pass the ball to get my team involved," he said. "I could play a lot of positions too. I can play the one, to the two or the three, so I can play a lot."
UA's head coach is one thing that has Carr already interested in the 'Cats.
"I like that their head coach was a point guard - Sean Miller," he said. "So he knows how I would like to play."
Click Here to view this Link.Matt Moreno
GOAZCATS.com Senior Recruiting Editor