Arizona Basketball: Puff Johnson chooses UNC, no need to panic yet

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 14: Arizona Wildcats fans react during the championship game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Oregon Ducks at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 14, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 80-52. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 14: Arizona Wildcats fans react during the championship game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Oregon Ducks at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 14, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 80-52. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The much-anticipated news Arizona Basketball was hoping for did not come as Class of 2020 recruit, Puff Johnson, chose UNC over Arizona.

It seemed as if was a guarantee that Arizona Basketball would get a commit for next season. Didn’t work out that way though. Class of 2020 Hillcrest Prep star and brother of former UNC Tarheel Puff Johnson chose UNC over Arizona. He recently made an official visit to his brother’s former school and a couple of days later his decision was made.

This does hurt the Class of 2020 as Puff’s versatility would have been a huge plus for Arizona next season in the frontcourt. He would have seen minutes on the court with Chase Jete and Stone Gettings gone. Next season though Ira Lee,  Zeke Nnaji and Christian Koloko are all likely returning.

Many Wildcats fans are disappointed and frustrated to see Puff chose UNC, but keep in mind there are still Class of 2020 Arizona recruits that haven’t committed yet.  By the time the 2020-21 season begins, the Wildcats will be just fine. They have a lot of experience, skill, and depth that will be returning next season.

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Currently, the Wildcats only have Dalen Terry as the only commit for the Class of 2020, who will be joining him next? We have been spoiled over the years to have elite talent choose Arizona over other top programs. Around this team last year, we had one the top point guards in the country choose Arizona, Nico Mannion.

It’s the beginning of November, so no need to panic yet. As mentioned, there are still top recruits out there that could choose Arizona. Also, there is the transfer market that the coaching staff can look to if they need to fill certain spots for next season.

First Devin Askew and now Puff Johnson. There could many reasons why they didn’t choose Arizona. According to Stockrisers, Puff explains one of the reasons why he chose UNC over Arizona “I just felt comfortable with the people and the atmosphere.”

https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1191890343710511104?s=20

At Zona Zealots, we would like to wish nothing but the best for Puff Johnson at UNC. We wish had committed to Arizona, but things are meant to happen for a reason. For Wildcats fans, keep your head up high and bear down!

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