Arizona State gets first in 2016

Every new coach needs his first recruit, Bobby Hurley got his first true recruit at Arizona State on Wednesday when shooting guard Sam Cunliffe popped.

A 6-foot-6 shooting guard who will play his senior season at Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach, Cunliffe visited Tempe just over a week ago and knew that he needed to play his college ball for Hurley.

"Coach Hurley, being around him and talking to him was great," Cunliffe told Rivals.com. "It was mostly coach Hurley. He's a great coach and person for me to learn from. It's a great fit for me all-around from the living situation to the playing situation."

With a new coach, there is always a little bit of a leap of faith involved. There weren't a lot of Buffalo games broadcast on the West Coast but Cunliffe was able to learn enough about Hurley's system and playing style to feel comfortable in pulling the trigger on a commitment. He's also excited to be first and to help get things rolling.

"Being the first for him to start it off I think I can come in there and help him have a great start," Cunliffe said. "Being one of the guys to pave the way for the program from here out is an exciting thing."

Currently, Cunliffe is rated as a three-star prospect and unranked. However, he will be in the discussion for the 2016 Rivals150 when it gets updated later this month. He has very good size, long arms and he is a quick and bouncy athlete. Some have labeled him a shooter but Rivals.com actually likes his ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays for others as the best part of his game.

"I think people see my size on paper and think he's probably a small forward," said Cunliffe. "I handle the ball and rebound but I can play all positions. I study point guard and everything else. That doesn't mean I will play it but I'm trying to be a player who can do a little bit of it all."

From here on out Cunliffe will have plenty of opportunities to make an impression. He'll be at next week's NBPA Top 100 Camp and will also attend Under Armour's All-America camp in Charlotte in early July.

"I want to work on my game and go to these tournaments and show out," said Cunliffe. "I want to show people that Arizona State is getting one of the best players in the country, and that's real. You can quote me on that. There are a lot of things I can do that not many people my size can and I plan to go out and show everybody what I'm capable of."