Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona among those watching Marvin Bagley in first Peach Jam game
By ADAM ZAGORIA and SEAN BOCK NORTH AUGUSTA,
By ADAM ZAGORIA and SEAN BOCK NORTH AUGUSTA,
With Rawle Alkins’ return to campus for his sophomore season, the expectations for Arizona will be sky high.
And the pressure on Arizona coach Sean Miller will be immense.
As has been well-documented, Miller is 340-113 in his college coaching career (.751) with four Elite Eight appearances — yet not a single Four Four showing. Arizona was a No. 2 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament but lost to Xavier, Miller’s previous school, in the Sweet 16.
Now heading into the 2017-18 season, the Wildcats will return Alkins after he opted to withdraw from the NBA Draft on Sunday evening. The 6-foot-4 Brooklyn native had worked out for several teams, including the Nets, Thunder and Raptors.
“I can’t wait to help the Wildcats win a national championship next year with a great team, great coach and the most amazing fans in the world behind us,” he wrote.
Transferring Pittsburgh sophomore forward Cam Johnson enjoyed his weekend visit to Arizona and will now head to UCLA and Oregon.
“Off to UCLA and Oregon immediately following,” the 6-foot-8 Johnson said Tuesday by text ahead of Thursday’s visit to Oregon.
As for Arizona, which he visited with Duke transfer Chase Jeter, “The Arizona visit was great. Their message was the team can be a championship contender and it would be a good fit for myself.”
Johnson’s father played with Arizona coach Sean Miller at Pittsburgh.
“It factors in a little bit because there’s familiarity and a level of trust that my dad has with him and that I have with him,” Johnson told Scout.com. “We know him and his family well. I think it mostly comes down to trust factor and familiarity and comfort having him as a coach.
Arizona will host two big-time transfers this weekend.
Transferring Duke sophomore big man Chase Jeter, a native of Las Vegas, will visit the Wildcats, as will transferring Pittsburgh sophomore forward Cam Johnson.
The 6-foot-10 Jeter has already visited Cal, San Diego State and Gonzaga ahead of a UCLA visit on May 12. The 6-8 Johnson has been to Kentucky and will hit Oregon and UCLA next week.
Johnson’s father played with Arizona coach Sean Miller at Pittsburgh.
“It factors in a little bit because there’s familiarity and a level of trust that my dad has with him and that I have with him,” Johnson told Scout.com. “We know him and his family well. I think it mostly comes down to trust factor and familiarity and comfort having him as a coach.
