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Arizona is now without a commitment in the 2018 class as its remaining pledge, Brandon Williams, decided to reopen his college recruitment on Friday. A top-50 senior recruit and now one of the top available prospects, Williams’ decommitment comes the day after head coach Sean Miller vehemently denied any wrongdoing regarding the initial commitment of DeAndre Ayton.
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Prior to the ESPN reports that came out last Friday alleging that a federal wiretap caught Miller discussing paying Ayton $100,000 to attend Arizona, Williams remained adamant about his intention of attending Arizona in the fall.
"I’m feeling really comfortable with what we have with me, Shareef (O’Neal) and then we have Chase (Jeter) coming in next year as well so that takes care of the bigs component," he told Rivals.com. "And as far as guards, coach Miller does a great job getting any guard to where they need to be for the next level so I’m confident with what we have going into next year. I just can’t wait to get out to Arizona this summer and get to work."
The past week has changed things for Williams as the excitement that the four-star guard had in suiting up for the Wildcats diminished to such an extent that he no longer wanted to remain committed to the Pac-12 powerhouse.
Arizona lost O'Neal's commitment last weekend and is now without Williams, or anyone else, in 2018.
Williams will become a coveted prospect due to his on the floor abilities, to go along with the limited amount of top-shelf backcourt talent available. Expect for the best, from either coast, to become involved with the top-50 guard.
Where might Arizona look now? Testy times are ahead and with potentially losing its entire starting five after this season, the best route to resupplying its cupboard might be through the transfer market.
Jeter will become eligible in the fall after transferring last year from Duke and the Wildcats, in recent years, have found success in that market, as Dylan Smith and TJ McConnell have flourished in Tucson. The Wildcats also remain entrenched in the recruitment of Rivals150 wing Tevian Jones.