Arizona Basketball: Why Top 10 recruit Josh Christopher would be a great fit for Arizona
By David Rosen
Arizona Basketball is less than five months away from the start of the 2019-20 season, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the following season and the possibility of Josh Christopher coming to Arizona.
One of the top-ranked recruits for the Class of 2020, Josh Christopher has many schools seeking him out including Arizona Basketball. He simply has the whole package and would make an immediate impact at any school he selects, especially at Arizona. His athleticism and style of play make him a perfect fit.
According to 247 Sports, Christopher is currently ranked nationally at No.9, the No.1 shooting guard, and No.5 in the state of California. Head coach Sean Miller has been known to recruit heavily in the state of California, which is something that Christopher likes. He has competed against and has friends with some who have previously played or currently playing at Arizona.
Listed as a shooting guard at 6 foot 4 and 200lbs, Christopher has the body frame and skill set to be one of the best players in college basketball during the 2020-21 season. Can’t take him lightly at all.
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He has received many offers from 17 other schools, including Arizona State. The Sun Devils happened to recruit his older brother Caleb Christopher for the 2019-20 season. Imagine these two brothers playing against one another with Josh as a Wildcat, that would be worth the price of admission!
Currently, he plays for Mayfair High School in which his junior year he dominated. Christopher averaged 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. Wow. He also plays for the AAU Team Vegas Elite and is taking part in the Nike EYBL Peach Jam event, which the best of the best compete against one another.
Christopher also was invited to try out for USA Basketball’s U19 team that competed in Greece but did not make the cut. Current Wildcat freshman Zeke Nnaji also competed for a spot on the team but got cut as well.
In addition to high school basketball, AAU basketball and trying out for USA Basketball, Christopher also is on former NBA Star Nick Young’s Most Hated Player team, who he patterns his game after. Their similar swaggy style of play is why.
Sick ball handles, incredible range off the dribble or off a pass, elite-level dime dropping skills (assists), can get up and dunk it with authority or get back and provide Lebron James like blocks. The one characteristic though that standouts more then anything is his swagger. Gotta love it!
In the five games he has played at Peach Jam, Christopher has averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. It’s obvious, no matter the strength of the competition it does not faze him what so ever. Like previous players at Arizona, he has that no fear mentality of taking to the rim against bigger opponents and finding a way to finish.
His approach of wanting to take it down the court every time fits in perfectly with Arizona Basketball style of play. Run and gun has Arizona written all over it. He would most certainly know how to get Wildcat fans to their feet!
There are a couple of other factors too that make Arizona a good fit for Christopher. One of them being one of his really good friends, top 2020 combo guard Jalen Green, that Arizona has regarded. In today’s game of basketball, college and professional, playing alongside those who you know and are good friends with is a major deciding factor.
The other reason is Miller’s involvement with recruiting players out of California. Recently, Christopher had this to say after one of the Peach Jam games:
"I love (former UA standout) Stanley Johnson, so that’s a major factor for me,” Christopher said. “I got to watch him play there and I have a lot of friends over there. So they obviously like California kids.”"
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At Zona Zealots, we have always been a huge fan of JoshChristopher and what he brings to the game of basketball. We’d love to see him play at Arizona, but whichever school he chooses he’ll be a major reason for that team’s success. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!