Arizona Basketball and Tommy Lloyd staying patient in recruiting

With the 2021-22 Arizona Basketball season still a few months away, Tommy Lloyd and the Wildcats staying patient with two scholarships left. 

It has been a busy off-season for Arizona Basketball and in particular Tommy Lloyd as he continues to adjust to being a head coach of the Wildcats.

So far, he has done a tremendous job in recruiting about 85 percent of last years’ roster, only losing James Akinjo, Jordan Brown, and Tibet Gorener.

Arizona Wildcats

However, he’s also done well in bringing in new pieces like Oumar Ballo, Pelle Larsson, and Justin Kier via transfer, and has also kept 2021 commit Shane Nowell.

His approach has been slow and methodical, especially as he continues to adjust to recruiting in Tucson, and learning what he has with his current roster.

However, with 11 scholarships accounted for, don’t expect the remaining two spots to be filled quickly, if at all by Arizona Basketball and Tommy Lloyd.

Just ahead of the 2021-22 season, the Wildcats seem to have a solid roster that could still compete for the conference and perhaps even make the NCAA Tournament (granted if they are not banned).

However, with two roster spots still currently open, coach Lloyd has reportedly said it is unlikely that those spots will be filled unless there is a piece or two that they could add to this team.

Does that change? Perhaps, but at least coach Lloyd is being picky and isn’t necessarily just adding bodies to add bodies. This is Arizona Basketball after all, and the expectation is to be competitive and win, not fill the roster completely just for the sake of it.

As stated before, the Wildcats could have a solid group for next season that will undoubtedly be led by returnees Ben Mathurin, Azuolas Tubelis, Kerr Kriisa, and incoming transfer Justin Kier among others. However, if Arizona were to add another piece for next season, the only fits at this point would perhaps be Dawson Garcia or Oral Roberts’ Kevin Obanor if they were to come of course.