Arizona Basketball: Wildcats rolling along on the recruiting trail

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sean Miller and Arizona basketball cannot be stopped on the 2017 recruiting trail.

Duke and Kentucky have combined to land one recruit in the class of 2017 (most top recruits are waiting to see who stays and leaves at those respective schools). Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats are filling out their roster quickly, as they already have four recruits that have verbally committed to their program for next year.

Four-star power forward Ira Lee is the latest prospect to land with the Wildcats. The Los Angeles, CA native committed to Sean Miller and company on Thursday over Oregon and California.

Happy to say I have committed to the University of Arizona ????⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EK6T7HVWgP

— Ira Lee (@iramandoesit) October 20, 2016

Lee, a 6’8″, 225 pound forward, is ranked 69th in ESPN’s top 100 for the class of 2017 and is 80th on Scout.com. He is also labeled as the 9th best four-man and the 8th best player in the state of California.

Even though he is a bit undersized for his position, Lee is an elite rebounder because of his motor, toughness, athleticism and commitment to making plays on the glass. He has a solid feel for the game and is an above-average defender based on his work ethic and heart.

On the offensive end, Lee operates successfully from the high post, where he can take and make mid-range jumpers and create with his decent handles. He could use even more strength to help him finish through contact and will need to develop more range on his shot (possibly pushing himself beyond the arc on occasion to space the floor).

In terms of Arizona’s overall class, the Wildcats are significantly upgrading their talent level in the front court.

Freshman big Lauri Markkanen is a potential one-and-done NBA lottery pick, but the Wildcats will still have the number one recruit in the class of 2017, DeAndre Ayton, Lee, Dusan Ristic, Chance Comanche, Ray Smith and Keanu Pinder.

That’s a deep, well-rounded, athletic, versatile front line. Ayton can do multiple things effectively, Lee is a terrific rebounder, Ristic will have the most experience, Comanche blocks shots, Smith can play both inside and out and Pinder adds depth.

In addition to Ayton and Lee, the Wildcats have also reeled in four-star sharp shooter Brandon Randolph and four-star guard Alex Barcello. Those two could team up with Rawle Alkins, Kobi Simmons and Allonzo Trier, depending on who dashes for the NBA and who remains in Tucson.

We shouldn’t expect anything less than a Pac-12 title in 2017-18. And oh, they might make a long run in the NCAA Tournament if the freshman find their true footing by March 2018.