Arizona basketball on its way to another top-10 recruiting class

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona basketball looks to be en route to a fourth consecutive top-10 recruiting class after four-star forward Craig Victor and four-star point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright signed national letters of intent last week and over last weekend, respectively.

Additionally, on a televised ESPNU signing day special last Friday, five-star forward Stanley Johnson announced his commitment to Arizona, though he has yet to sign his letter of intent. It is believed that he will most likely sign with the Wildcats early this week at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.

Johnson, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound small forward, is entering his senior season with the Monarchs and is currently ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the state of California. ESPN.com tabs him as the No. 2 small forward and No. 9 overall player in his class. Last year as a junior at Mater Dei, Johnson posted an average of 19.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He has helped his team to three California CIF Division I State Championships and was considering Kentucky and USC before he decided on Arizona.

Victor represented Arizona’s first signing of the 2014 class and signed his letter of intent on Wednesday. He verbally committed to the UA last August.

Victor is a 6-foot-7, 205-pound power forward who transferred from St. Augustine High School in Louisiana to play his senior year at the prestigious athletic academy Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev. Past and present Wildcats, including starting guard Nick Johnson and starting forward Brandon Ashley, have passed through Findlay’s nationally acclaimed program.

“I think he’ll be able to help a lot down there [at Arizona] due to the fact of how mature he is and how advanced his work ethic and feel for the game is,” said Findlay Prep coach Andy Johnson. “I think he’ll be able to help coach Miller and the Wildcats achieve any goals they have.”

Victor was ranked the No. 29 overall recruit in his class and signed with Arizona over schools including Kansas, Louisville, LSU and Oklahoma State. Victor’s tenacity and advanced offensive abilities at such a young age are some factors that make him a valuable asset.

“The number one thing that comes to mind when I think about Craig is that he is a leader on and off the court for our team, and is willing to do anything it takes to help the team win and succeed,” Johnson said. “He is a very hard worker, very physical, good rebounder and he can score from the post when he gets [the ball].”

Jackson-Cartwright waited to sign with the Wildcats until Saturday so his father could be there, too. The 5-foot-8, 150-pound Southern California native is ranked as the No. 12 point guard in his class and sits at No. 60 in the ESPN 100. Jackson-Cartwright played high school basketball alongside current Wildcats Jacob Hazzard and Trey Mason at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, Calif. He represents a small but quick, pass-first point guard who will likely provide necessary depth to Arizona’s backcourt.

&#149This story was courtesy of the Arizona Daily Wildcat.

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