Arizona Basketball: Devonaire Doutrive an X-Factor for the Wildcats

The 2018-19 Arizona Basketball season upon us, but when all is said and done, the Wildcats will have found a diamond in the rough in Devonaire Doutrive.

Heading into the 2018-19 Arizona Basketball season, the expectations of the team and players are a bit lower than it has been in years past. However, it is up to the Sean Miller to put in a game plan that will propel the Wildcats to live up to and exceed expectations this season.

Beyond that, it also falls on the players to believe in the coaches game plan so they can go out there and execute it every game. One player that might help Miller accomplish the lofty Arizona expectations, is Devonaire Doutrive.

Arizona Wildcats

I feel that he will be the X-Factor for the Wildcats this season!

Only a freshman, Doutrive hails from Birmingham High School in California. He also will be one of the more notable players on the roster this season, merely for being ‘the guy’ to help get the Wildcats back on track in recruiting this past off-season.

As you may recall, Doutrive committed to Arizona back in April of 2018.

While it’s early and he’s had limited college playing time up to now, he has the skill set to effect the game on both ends of the floor.

This season, he will have to battle for minutes at either the guard or forward position. Luckily, the roster is fairly open, but ultimately it will prove to be the right move for Miller and his coaching staff to give him valuable minutes.

Standing a lengthy 6-feet-5-inches tall, Doutrive has a solid build, and good overall athletic ability to give the other team fits on the offensive and defensive sides of the floor.

Defensively, Doutrive has good lateral quickness to stay with guards on the wing in order to keep them from driving, or to keep them in front of him. He also possesses a coveted wing span that allows him to effect opposing teams’ shots, in order to throw them off and keep them from finding a rhythm.

Lastly, his athleticism is off the charts! Because he’s so lengthy, he helps to create mismatches at the guard position, but he also has good bounce and quickness to be a weapon in the transition offense or running the floor. When all is said and done, Doutrive will be a nice rotation player for Arizona this season.

Coach Miller always preaches the importance of having a guy on the team who is committed to shutting down the opposing teams best player. Doutrive makes a strong case to be that player for the Wildcats this year.

Here’s a bit of a flashback from his high school days:

Wildcats basketball fans can catch Doutrive tonight as he plays in a scrimmage game against Chaminade at  7 pm on the Pac-12 Network. He will look to prove to coach Miller and his staff that he is well deserving to be a part of the rotation this year. As always Wildcat fans, Bear Down and Go Cats!