Arizona received great news over the weekend as Rawle Alkins, a top-three scorer on last year’s Sweet 16 team, opted to return for his sophomore year. On Monday, Arizona added even further optimism for next season as Emmanuel Akot, a five-star commit in the 2018 class, decided to reclassify into the 2017 class and enroll this fall.
Needing to fill the spot left by Kobi Simmons in the backcourt, Arizona hastily chased Pitt grad-transfer Cam Johnson and five-star 2017 wing Brian Bowen. Instead, the Wildcats kept it in the family as Akot will bring unbelievable playmaking abilities and defensive versatility to the Wildcats’ backcourt this season.
“My family and I thought I was ready,” he said. “The coaching staff believes in me and I'm going to a great program so I'm going to get better every day and will have the chance to play on a great basketball team.”
Arguably the best team on paper that Sean Miller has ever had as a head coach, Akot will settle in nicely on the perimeter, being used for his shooting, passing and defensive versatility.
“I see myself coming in and being a defensive stopper right away,” he said. “My versatility on offense and my passing ability will also help the team. I just want to win and will do whatever I have to do to win.”
Averaging 16 points, six rebounds and nearly four assists per game this spring on the adidas circuit for his Utah Prospects 17-under unit, Akot is the final piece to the puzzle that will be installed for Arizona’s chances at cutting down the nets in San Antonio next April.
He joins Alex Barcello and Brandon Randolph on the perimeter, along with five-star big man DeAndre Ayton and top-60 big Ira Lee in creating a top-five 2017 recruiting haul this spring.
