Arizona Class of 2016 Overview
The class of 2016 is a talented group with a variety of prospects that have a chance to play across multiple levels collegiately. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of this class. -Strengths- Division-I Post Play…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2016 is a talented group with a variety of prospects that have a chance to play across multiple levels collegiately. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of this class.
-Strengths-
Division-I Post Play
Of the 12 players committed to the Division-I level in the 2016, seven of them are post players. This has, no doubt, been the strongest position for this class, headed by #1 Mitch Lightfoot (Kansas) and #2 Wyatt Lowell (Utah Valley).
Athletic Wings
This is one of the most athletic classes we’ve seen in Arizona. Jay Green, Brock Gardner, and Elijah Thomas head a list of big wings that play above the rim. Chris Bowling, Bryce Cheney, and Elijah Sikora are among others that fit this category.
D2/NAIA D1 Prospects
There are around 30 prospects that will likely find themselves signing at the D2/NAIA D1 level, the highest levels in small college basketball. Normally this state isn’t that deep with guys that are thought to be able to make immediate impacts at these levels as, normally, there are more thought to be a step below.
-Weaknesses-
True Point Guards
There are few true point guards in this class with the ability to run a team. Outside of combo guard Cam Satterwhite (#3 ranked, signed at Loyola-Chicago), #6 ranked Michael Bibby is the only likely Division-I candidate while there are only three others in the top 30 (not counting BJ Murphy who is headed to play football at University of Washington).
Back to the Basket Play
While there are a lot of talented power forwards and centers in this class there are very few that have the ability to score with their back to the basket. Mitch Lightfoot and Tim Fuller are the main exceptions with the majority of post players on this list being face up 4’s or defensive stoppers.