Arizona Wildcats men's basketball coach Sean Miller just missed on getting the top-ranked player in the Class of 2016.
He didn't miss twice.
On Tuesday, DeAndre Ayton, the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2017, verbally committed to play for the Arizona Wildcats.
Everyone thanks for watching! I am happy and excited to be Wildcat! #beardown ??? pic.twitter.com/zqKLCa6Gp4
— Deandre Ayton (@RealDeandreAy) September 7, 2016
Welcome to Arizona, DeAndre Ayton.
The No. 1 player in the country commits to the Wildcats #LIVEonSC. pic.twitter.com/zG3F9XZbCr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 6, 2016
The No. 1 player in the country, DeAndre Ayton, chooses Arizona over Kansas and Kentucky. "I felt comfortable... https://t.co/wnFadV8LYY
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) September 6, 2016
Ayton, who currently plays at Hillcrest Academy in Phoenix, chose Arizona over his other top choices, Kansas and Kentucky. The nation's No. 1 player in 2016, Josh Jackson, chose Kansas over Arizona.
The 7-foot, 250-pounder is originally from San Diego but moved to Phoenix to play for Hillcrest before his junior year. He averaged 21.1 points, 16 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game last season.
"My goal is to win a national championship. That's it: Win a national championship and go to the next level," Ayton told ABC15 in March.
DeAndre Ayton on when he knew Arizona was for him: "Really on my first visit, that’s when I really fell in love with it."
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) September 6, 2016
