By SAM LANCE
Arizona State landed one of the most versatile prospects in the 2025 class, four-star forward Jaion Pitt, on Thursday.
Pitt — the 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward out of Bella Vista Prep (AZ) and the Arizona Unity Nike EYBL AAU program — chose the Sun Devils over schools like California and Utah State. But what went into his decision?
“It’s close,” Pitt told ZAGSBLOG. “I’ve been in Arizona my whole high school career, some middle school. So it’s pretty much like another home. The coach talks to me, likes me. I feel like I could really do well when I go there.”
The forward is originally from Canada. He helped the Canada U18 Men’s National Team secure a bronze medal at the AmeriCup Championships this past summer in Buenos Aires. Pitt finished with 11 points and six rebounds in the win for bronze over the Dominican Republic. Pitt was also a key piece in Bella Vista’s run to the No. 5 seed at Chipotle Nationals before falling to No. 4 Brewster Academy in the quarterfinals, 70-60.
“I’m good in the paint,” Pitt previously said of his game. “I’m good at finishing. And I have pretty good footwork to get myself around the rim and get around bigger defenders. I feel like I’m kind of a mismatch because I can guard a big and guard a guard, and when a big is guarding me I can just get out and attack him. And when a guard is guarding me I can just post him up.”
Pitt will be coached by Bobby Hurley at Arizona State.
“He’s great,” Pitt said. “He coaches aggressively. He has high energy. And you know, you’ve got to love that. He just believes in his players. He told me about my winning energy and how I feel like that’s going to spill over into the program when I get there. I feel like I could really help them.”
When Pitt arrives on campus, he won’t be a stranger to some of his new teammates. Two of Pitt’s previous teammates in high school, Amier Ali and Shawn Phillips Jr., will be on the roster next season.
“I’m just ready to play,” Pitt said. “I’m just going to go out there and perform and do whatever I can.”
Pitt is ranked the No. 85 overall prospect in the 2025 class by 247Sports. His favorite NBA player is Kawhi Leonard.
“He’s about as good of a human being as it gets,” said Bella Vista head coach Brandon Rosenthal, who was previously an assistant under Hurley. “High basketball IQ. He’s going to fit into whatever locker room he ever goes into. But at Arizona State specifically, he’s going to help in all facets of that program. Coach Hurley is going to love coaching him. The rest of that staff is going to really enjoy showing up to the office and showing up to practice and getting into games and competing with him. Special special dude.”
Rosenthal continued:
“He’s a matchup problem. And like I said, maybe the highest basketball IQ of a 4 that I’ve gotten to coach. You can play him at multiple positions. He can handle the basketball. He can attack a big off the bounce. He can score with his back to the basket. If it’s a guard, he’ll live in the paint and dominate you on the glass. But also defensively. He takes on any matchup. He’s very very special.”
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