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Arizona Basketball: Offseason storylines to watch after early NCAA Tournament exit

By Trevor Sinodhinos

Jan 7, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) leaves the court after being defeated by the Washington State Cougars at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) leaves the court after being defeated by the Washington State Cougars at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Basketball (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Arizona Basketball (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Commits and (potential) transfers

After unsuccessful visits by five-star players Cody Williams (Colorado) and Kwame Edwards Jr (Oregon) the Wildcats have secured the commitment of four-star small forward KJ Lewis. The forward from Duncanville Texas currently ranks 56th on the RSCI. Despite his listing as a small forward on his high school team, at 6’4″ Lewis will strengthen the Wildcats’ backcourt as he has great vision as a passer and range from a distance. On the defensive end, Lewis has demonstrated the ability to apply pressure full court as well as defend in the half court. Cody Williams was not the only in-state player the Wildcats missed out on, as Coach Lloyd did not even extend an offer to Tru Washington who ranks No. 96 on the RSCI.

Coach Lloyd will have to replicate the success he had in the transfer portal last season when he secured the services of the aforementioned Courted Ramey and Cedric Henderson Jr. Currently the early transfer portal is thin on impact players that have ties to the state of Arizona.  Phoenix native Carson Basham has entered the portal after leaving Pepperdine after two seasons and averaging over seven points last season. At 6’10” he would be an additional big body, but not the difference maker needed.

Lamin Sabally grew up in Scottsdale, but has only played a total of 458 minutes for UTSA over two seasons. Andrew King who attended Bella Vista Prep and averaged nine points with Houston Christian in 20 starts is a three-star point guard that could be a good depth player. The biggest local attraction is Nate Calmese who averaged over 17 points as a freshman in Lamar’s backcourt. The Wildcats are not thin on guards under 6’5″ but Calmese would be an upgrade over Kylan Boswell

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