Two Arizona Wildcats make ESPN’s preseason All-America teams
Oct 24, 2017, 1:40 PM
Arizona guard Allonzo Trier (35) shoots over Xavier forward Tyrique Jones (0) and Trevon Bluiett (5) during the first half of an NCAA Tournament college basketball regional semifinal game Thursday, March 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
ESPN insider Jeff Goodman has released his preseason All-America teams for the 2017 season, and two members of the Arizona Wildcats basketball team are on the list.
Junior guard Allonzo Trier was named to the first team, and freshman forward Deandre Ayton made the third team.
The 21-year-old Trier averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season. Here is what Goodman said about Trier heading into the 2017-18 season.
Trier didn’t play like a guy who missed the first 19 games last season. He was suspended for the first half of the season and then proceeded to lead the Wildcats in scoring. Trier should be even more effective this season.
The 19-year-old Ayton was considered a consensus five-star prospect among the class of 2017. Last January, the center from Hillcrest Prep High School in Phoenix was named a McDonald’s All-American.
Goodman had high praise for Ayton.
At 7-foot-1, he is a tremendous athlete for someone his size. He’s a versatile, skilled big man who runs the court extremely well and could wind up being a top-three pick in the next NBA draft.
The Wildcats open the season against Northern Arizona on Nov. 10. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.
