Arizona coach Sean Miller has kept a low profile since the Wildcats’ season ended a week ago, but his few public actions and words suggest he will return next season.
Miller has been spotted on the road, where he is recruiting to fill Arizona’s seven scholarship openings.
And Wednesday, Miller issued a statement through UA saying he is not a candidate to become Pitt’s new head coach. His statement came a few hours after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he and Pitt’s athletic director discussed the job. The Post-Gazette also cited sources saying Miller was interested in returning to his alma mater.
“I am not a candidate for the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball head coaching vacancy,” Miller’s statement read. “I wish them well in their search for a new coach.”
The fourth-seeded Wildcats’ season ended with a March 15 NCAA Tournament loss to Buffalo. Two days later, Miller was spotted scouting a high school game in Los Angeles.
“His actions are that he’s actively recruiting and trying to fill a staff,” said Josh Gershon, a Southern California-based analyst for 247Sports.com. “He’s on the road recruiting as if he’s going to be Arizona’s coach. He’s on the phone making calls trying to find the perfect staff for him. So if he’s doing all these things, this is a coach who is planning to be there.”
Miller will likely have to chase some of the few remaining high-caliber players in the high school class of 2018, and could pursue several graduate and junior college transfers who would be eligible to play immediately.
Coaches typically spend their springs focusing on high school juniors and plugging any remaining holes with high school seniors or collegiate transfers. Miller may have to do all of the above. He also has two assistant coach vacancies, with Book Richardson having been fired following his arrest on federal fraud and bribery charges and Lorenzo Romar leaving to become Pepperdine’s head coach.
“Sean’s in a position where he’s going to have to work really hard,” said Jerry Meyer, a 247Sports.com analyst. “It’s a setback for the program in that they have to focus on 2018 guys right now, not the younger guys.”
But at the same time, Meyer said, Miller can get it all done.
“He’ll have a roster,” Meyer said. “It’s not a possibility; it’s an actuality. It’s probably not gonna be chock full of five-stars but lesser-rated players. It’ll be very interesting to watch how it all unfolds, no doubt.”
Arizona lost 2018 commits Jahvon Quinerly, Brandon Williams and Shareef O’Neal, though Williams is still considering the Wildcats. Quinerly has since committed to Villanova and O’Neal to UCLA.
Williams’ father, Chris Wright, said via text message Wednesday that Miller’s statement about Pitt was “huge news.” Williams has not yet planned any other visits even though he has widely re-opened his recruitment, his father said.
“Still waiting until after the season to see how things play out with the FBI, NCAA, rosters and staffs for all those schools involved,” Wright said. “His recruitment will play out through the spring and into the summer if need be.”
Oregon is believed to have a strong chance to land Williams, in part because of its returning roster. The Ducks have already received commitments from five-star 2018 players Louis King and Bol Bol.
“Always happy after an offer especially from a prestigious school like Oregon because I know what they have done with their players,” Williams told ScoopDuck, “and I mean it’s Oregon ... and having the opportunity to play with guys like Bol and Lou, can’t pass that up.”
Arizona has been linked to the following players, with more likely to come:
- Jordan Brown, a McDonalds All-American forward from Prolific Prep who is one of the highest-regarded unsigned class of 2018 players. While 247Sports.com lists Cal as a leader, Prolific co-director Philipe Doherty said his family is open to all options at this point. Brown’s father, Dion, did not respond to messages from the Star seeking comment.
- Devonair Doutrive, a Southern California small forward from the high school class of 2018 who played against Shareef O’Neal in the Division II championship last Saturday. GoAzCats.com posted a photo of Miller and assistant Mark Phelps scouting that game, which also featured 7-foot UA target Christian Koloko of the class of 2019.
- James Akinjo, a four-star guard from the Bay Area who was let out of his letter of intent with Connecticut in the wake of Kevin Ollie’s firing. California, Georgetown and Gonzaga are among the many schools recruiting him. Akinjo played for the same Oakland Soldiers travel-ball program that featured former UA players Aaron Gordon and Brandon Ashley.
- Ryan Taylor, a prolific scoring guard who is leaving Evansville as a grad transfer. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman said UCLA, Indiana, Purdue and Wisconsin are among the schools who have approached him.
- Aaron Calixte, a 5-11 guard who was a third-team all-America East Conference pick at Maine this season but has opted to leave as a grad transfer. “I just want to go to a school that has a chance to win and make the NCAA Tournament,” said Calixte told the Bangor Daily News. Evan Daniels, a 247Sports.com analyst, tweeted Wednesday that Calixte has heard from Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, St. Bonaventure, Mississippi, DePaul, Temple, Grand Canyon and La Salle.
Rim shots
- Freshman Deandre Ayton tweeted an official notice that he’s leaving for the NBA, along with a video rewind of his career. “I’m just a kid from the Bahamas who came to the States when I was 12 years old with a dream,” Ayton said. “I can’t say anything about this journey other than that it’s God’s Plan. Next Stop: 2018 NBA Draft.” Ayton had repeatedly said that he would leave Arizona after one year. He was honored in the UA’s “Senior Day” festivities earlier this month.
- Departing UA senior Dusan Ristic posted a thank-you note to Arizona on Twitter that accompanies a picture of him hugging Miller after he came off the floor on Senior Day. “We came up short despite all the hard work we put in, but that won’t take away all the success and great memories we had this year,” Ristic wrote. “The last four years at Arizona have been an incredible journey. I’m proud to say that I’ve had the privilege to represent this program and call Tucson my second home.”
