Five-star forward Aaron Gordon commits to Arizona
Three 2013 McDonald's All-Americans hail from greater Northern California, but Aaron Gordon is the one scouts have labeled as a future superstar. Gordon's long recruitment finally concluded on Tuesday afternoon when the 6-foot-8 forward from Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) committed to coach Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats.
Northern California has produced some superstar prep players in both the past (Leon Powe, Drew Gooden and Jason Kidd, among others) and this year (Jabari Bird and Marcus Lee), but the hype surrounding Gordon is palpable. Described as "explosive" and "the West's best athlete" by Rivals.com analyst Eric Bossi, Gordon was courted by every major program in the nation, but eventually narrowed his decision to Arizona, Kentucky, Oregon and Washington.
Gordon's length is his biggest asset, but his ability to finish close to the basket and his agility should make him one of the most versatile big men once he arrives in Tucson.
Gordon is the second five-star prospect in the class of 2013 to commit to the Wildcats. He joins high-flying Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Chester, Pa.), who is also at the McDonald's All-American Game in Chicago this week. The announcement further solidified Miller's status as one of the nation's best recruiters; this is Miller's seventh five-star commitment in the last three recruiting classes.