As Arizona Basketball targets transfers, here are their targets

We’ve got a long ways to go until the start of the 2020-21 Arizona Basketball season, and at this point there are many unsettled things in recruiting.

It’s been quite the week for Arizona Basketball, especially as the season came to an an unexpected and abrupt end due to growing concerns of the spread of Corona Virus.

Even with our ups and downs this year, I’m we can all agree we would have liked to see what our Wildcats could do if given the chance. Nonetheless, the show must still go on for the Wildcats.

Arizona Wildcats

I know at this point the 2019-20 season is officially over, and we are a LOOONNNNGGG ways away from the start of the 2020-21 season, but it’s time to start looking ahead at what we have in terms of recruiting, and where the Wildcats will go from here.

As it stands, the Wildcats’ recruiting class has been a little less than ordinary, especially as they have just Dalen Terry and Ben Mathurin committed for 2020. However, it’s worth noting that there are still a few other targets still in play.

And at this point, it’s hard to say just how the Wildcats will finish this class, but nonetheless, we should expect Arizona to still be aggressive, especially in the transfer market.

They did already bring in James Akinjo for next season, and so far we’ve highlighted one target in Jamarius Burton, but according to social media, listed below are seemingly the guys the Wildcats have shown interest in thus far.

Jamarius Burton

School: Wichita State
Position: Guard
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 200
Year: Junior

The combo guard who hails from Wichita State, Jamarius is already drawing early interest from the likes of Arizona in addition to Xavier, Illinois and North Carolina State among others.

Overall, Burton is big guard that could likely play the 1-3, and is a solid target who put up some solid numbers for the Shockers.

Having to sit out a year unless given a waiver, he would provide great depth for the Wildcats, and more depth at guard is always a good thing, especially if it might be for the 2021-22 season and beyond!

Amauri Hardy

School: UNLV
Position: Guard
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190
Year: Junior

A grad transfer, Amauri Hardy is a talented guard from UNLV with the eligibility to play immediately. Given Arizona’s current situation at guard (a complete unknown), it makes sense they are targeting Hardy.

Reportedly also drawing interest from Kentucky and Michigan State, Arizona is going to have some stiff competition here with Hardy, and rightfully so.

Hardy started in 30 of 32 games for the Runnin’ Rebels, en route to averaging 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

That kind of production would be huge for Arizona!

Nate Johnson

School: Gardner Webb
Position: Guard
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 180
Year: Redshirt Junior

A sharp-shooting guard from Gardner Webb, Nate Johnson is another target for the Wildcats, and again rightfully so.

Averaging 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this past season, the redshirt junior is a great defender averaging 1.7 steals per game, and is a fantastic shooter, hitting 41 percent from beyond the arc!

Nate certainly will have his suitors of schools to choose from, and should he pick the Wildcats, he will be a great addition!

Mike Smith

School: Columbia
Position: Guard
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 180
Year: Senior

Another grad transfer that Arizona is targeting is Mike Smith. The Ivy League’s top scorer last season for Columbia will likely be one of the biggest targets for most college basketball programs this off-season, especially for Arizona and Michigan.

A talented scorer, Smith started in all 30 games for the Lions last year, averaging 22.8 points, 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Being immediately eligible to play next year, Mike would be a HUGE addition, especially if Brandon Williams is unable to play next year.

With all these targets, it sounds like Sean Miller and the Wildcats will have some options to potentially choose from!

At Zona Zealots, we’re interested in seeing how things pan out for the Cats and are hopeful they can round out this class! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!