The Arizona Wildcats landed their first commitment for the Class of 2025 for men’s basketball in five-star forward Dwayne Aristode, as reported by 247Sports.com.
Aristode’s commitment is non-binding. The earliest he can sign with the Wildcats is during the early signing period next month.
The commitment fits right into coach Tommy Lloyd’s program. While Aristode preps at prestigious Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., he’s a Netherlands native and Lloyd specializes in importing talent from outside the U.S.
With the early signing window just a few weeks away, some of the top recruits in the country remain uncommitted, including forward A.J. Dybansta, who is a target of several Big 12 programs. He was recently in Provo, Utah, for a visit around BYU’s football game. He’s also been to Kansas State and Kansas. Dybansta is considered the No. 1 recruit in the country.
Aristode, a 6-8 small forward, is the No. 28 recruit in the country per 247sports.com.
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah are preparing for their first Big 12 season. Of the four programs, the Wildcats are the best-positioned to compete in perhaps the most rigorous conference in the country.
Arizona has been to the NCAA Tournament each of its three seasons under Lloyd and has been to the Sweet 16 each of the last two season. Recently, the coaches weighed in with their preseason poll and the Wildcats came in fifth but were one of four teams to receive at least one first place vote.
Kansas was voted the favorite.
For Big 12 fans unfamiliar with the Wildcats, guard Caleb Love will be the player to watch.
He was the lone Wildcat selected to the All-Big 12 preseason team as a first-team selection.
Love, a fifth-year senior, was selected an all-American by six different outlets as he finished last season with a team-leading 18 points per game. He also led the team in 3-pointers made (92), field goals (218) and free throws (120).
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
