We'll just have to beat these guys to a pulp in every game to show these kids what kind of "tradition" they seem to think Zona has in basketball.
ARIZONA BASKETBALL
Turner could be running point for Cats in 2011-12
'Crazy' Iowa football game sways point guard's choice
Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Monday, September 20, 2010 12:00 am
When Josiah Turner arrived Friday on Arizona's campus for an official visit, Wildcat basketball coaches hardly had to recruit him anymore.
Plenty of others successfully stepped in, generating UA's third commitment from the 2011 class.
Committed Arizona guard Nick Johnson of Nevada's Findlay Prep was on hand for friendship and a bit of persuasion. So were the current Wildcat players, who played with Turner and Johnson informally on Saturday.
Then there was the UA football team, whose showing against Iowa provided an environment that bowled over the Top 25 point guard.
"The game was crazy," Turner said.
So just before he left town Sunday morning, Turner told UA coaches at his Tucson hotel that he was committing to the Wildcats.
"I had a lot of fun here," he said via telephone as he was preparing to fly home to Sacramento, Calif. "I bonded with everybody. I liked the teammates, the coaches and I got to meet the AD."
Turner visited Louisville and UCLA earlier this month and was scheduled to go to Kansas on Oct. 15 for its vaunted Late Night in the Phog practice-opening ceremonies but decided to cancel.
"I'm pretty surprised that he didn't make the Kansas visit," Scout.com analyst Dave Telep said. "That tells me about the job that Arizona did this weekend."
The job even enlisted the help of Johnson's mother, Michelle, who attended the football game along with Turner's mother, Doris Ward, and UA assistant coaches Archie Miller, Book Richardson and James Whitford. Turner and Johnson sat in the student section.
"We had an idea (Saturday) night that it was looking good," Michelle Johnson said. "Doris wanted to wear a U of A shirt to the game, so I figured that was a good sign."
Michelle Johnson said her son told UA coaches upon committing last month that he wanted to help recruit another player from the 2011 class, and that Turner was his top choice. Turner and Johnson played together on the Drew Gooden Soldiers traveling team, with both having scoring and point- guard skills - though Turner is considered a more regular point guard with quickness and court vision.
"Although Nick's a point guard, he's also a two, and they played really well together" with Turner at the point, Michelle Johnson said. "I was there when Josiah committed and there were smiles all around."
The Wildcats have several other combination guards already on hand, and are expected to have sophomore MoMo Jones run the point this season, but both Turner and Johnson likely will work their way onto the floor during the 2011-12 season.
At 6 feet 3 inches and 175 pounds with a keen ability to get to the basket, Turner is rated No. 10 overall in the class of 2011 by Rivals.com, No. 24 by Scout.com and No. 29 by ESPNU. Johnson, known for his athleticism and scoring, is rated No. 21 by ESPNU, No. 26 by Scout.com and No. 40 by Rivals.
"Between Johnson and Turner, those are two guys you expect to play heavy minutes as freshmen," Telep said. "They're talented."
Telep said Turner's point-guard skills improved significantly over the summer, while he also showed potential to be an elite defender.
As a point guard, Turner is embracing the kind of ground he will be stepping on as a Wildcat.
"I wanted to be a part of the U of A tradition," he said.
Turner and Johnson will join another 2011 commit, New York forward Sidiki Johnson, and it is also possible the Wildcats will pursue a fourth 2011 commitment even though they face a tight scholarship situation. Arizona is scheduled to host Top 10 forward LeBryan Nash of Dallas next weekend, while Sidiki Johnson is expected to visit next month.
Because of NCAA sanctions, UA is restricted to 12 scholarships in 2011-12, one fewer than normal. The Cats would be two over that limit if all their current players with eligibility return with the three committed players, but they are expected to suffer early pro departures and/or other transition the next 12 months.
Arizona'S 2011 COMMITMENTS
Josiah Turner, PG
• Ht./Wt.: 6-3,175
• Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
• School: Sacramento HS
• Ratings: 10, Rivals; 24, Scout; 29, ESPNU
Sidiki Johnson, PF
• Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 220
• Hometown: New York
• School: Oak Hill (Va.) Academy
• Ratings: 41, ESPNU; 58, Scout; 71, Rivals
Nick Johnson, SG
• Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 175
• Hometown: Gilbert
• School: Findlay (Nev.) Prep
• Ratings: 21, ESPNU; 26, Scout; 40, Rivals
_________
Arizona lands top recruit Josiah Turner -- with an assist from football team?
By Tim Gardner
USA Today, Campus Rivalry, "The passion of college basketball and football live here"
Sep 20, 2010
Guard Josiah Turner made his official visit to Arizona this past weekend.
By the time Turner left, he told coaches he would be playing basketball for the Wildcats.
During his visit, Turner, the No. 10 recruit in the Class of 2011 according to Rivals.com, played some hoops with current Arizona players -- as well as fellow 2011 recruit Nick Johnson -- and was on hand for the Wildcats' stunning football upset of then-No. 9 Iowa.
"The game was crazy," Turner said, according to the Arizona Republic.
What's more impressive for Arizona is that Turner still had an official visit planned at Kansas before he committed to Sean Miller's program.
More from the Arizona Republic:
"I had a lot of fun here," he said via telephone as he was preparing to fly home to Sacramento, Calif. "I bonded with everybody. I liked the teammates, the coaches and I got to meet the AD."
Turner visited Louisville and UCLA earlier this month and was scheduled to go to Kansas on Oct. 15 for its vaunted Late Night in the Phog practice-opening ceremonies but decided to cancel.
"I'm pretty surprised that he didn't make the Kansas visit," Scout.com analyst Dave Telep said. "That tells me about the job that Arizona did this weekend."
Miller and his coaching staff might want to give at least partial credit to the Wildcats football team after its huge win -- and inviting atmosphere -- from the weekend.
As for Turner, he looks forward to joining a long line of top guards to play at Arizona.
"I wanted to be a part of the U of A tradition," he said.
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