Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
T.J. Leaf, a 6-foot-10, 217-pound 2016 face-up forward from El Cajon (CA) Foothills Christian, committed to Arizona on Wednesday, he announced on Twitter.
The No. 3 power forward in the Class of 2016 according to 247Sports composite rankings, Leaf also considered UCLA, Duke, Michigan, Florida and San Diego.
“It was a lot of reasons,” Leaf told ESPN.com. “For one, I have a great relationship with all the coaches there, including coach [Sean] Miller. That’s a big plus. Their style of play, how they use their 4s, interchangeable with their 3s, that’s what I want. And I have the opportunity to come in and make an impact as a freshman.”
“Great opportunity as a freshman,” Brad Leaf, the player’s father, said by phone. “It was just the opportunity as a freshman coming in. They have a hole right there where his position is. They don’t have anybody at his position. In the 2015 recruiting class they don’t have a four. All the other guys that are there now, most of them will probably be gone. No use to waiting.
“We’re just looking for an opportunity to get on the court as a freshman and play major minutes.”
The father added he expects his son will make an impact immediately.
“In my opinion as his high school coach, he’s a multiple position guy who can do a lot of things, three, four and five,” he said.
Leaf is Arizona’s first 2016 commit.
For 2015, they have landed point guard Justin Simon, shooting guard Allonzo Trier, small forward Ray Smith and big man Chance Comanche.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
T.J. Leaf, a 6-foot-10, 217-pound 2016 face-up forward from El Cajon (CA) Foothills Christian, committed to Arizona on Wednesday, he announced on Twitter.
The No. 3 power forward in the Class of 2016 according to 247Sports composite rankings, Leaf also considered UCLA, Duke, Michigan, Florida and San Diego.
“It was a lot of reasons,” Leaf told ESPN.com. “For one, I have a great relationship with all the coaches there, including coach [Sean] Miller. That’s a big plus. Their style of play, how they use their 4s, interchangeable with their 3s, that’s what I want. And I have the opportunity to come in and make an impact as a freshman.”
“Great opportunity as a freshman,” Brad Leaf, the player’s father, said by phone. “It was just the opportunity as a freshman coming in. They have a hole right there where his position is. They don’t have anybody at his position. In the 2015 recruiting class they don’t have a four. All the other guys that are there now, most of them will probably be gone. No use to waiting.
“We’re just looking for an opportunity to get on the court as a freshman and play major minutes.”
The father added he expects his son will make an impact immediately.
“In my opinion as his high school coach, he’s a multiple position guy who can do a lot of things, three, four and five,” he said.
Leaf is Arizona’s first 2016 commit.
For 2015, they have landed point guard Justin Simon, shooting guard Allonzo Trier, small forward Ray Smith and big man Chance Comanche.
