SCOTTSDALE β Spectators flocked to Chaparral High School gymnasium Friday night to watch the Hoophall West high school basketball showcase between Scottsdaleβs Bella Vista Prep and Ohioβs Spire Institute.
It was the definition of hoopla.
The gymnasium was full before either team took the floor for warmups. Scottsdale police stopped allowing people inside a few moments before tipoff, meaning fans β some of whom paid $15 to get in β were forced to watch through a door.
Bella Vistaβs Terry Armstrong soaked it in. The future Wildcat wore a navy blue Arizona shirt during warmups, then scored 14 points in an 85-69 loss to Spire and its standout player, LaMelo Ball. Lavar Ball, LaMeloβs father and basketballβs biggest lightning rod, brought the whole family β except for Lakers guard Lonzo, that is β to the event. The Balls were followed by cameras for their Facebook reality show, βBall in the Family.β
βIt was a big crowd,β Armstrong said. βIt could intimidate some kids, but I was ready for it. β¦ Coming in, I knew it was going to be crazy because I watched the YouTube videos and Iβve seen (Ball) play for a long time so I knew it was going to be crazy.β
Armstrong better get used to the large crowds. Starting next fall, Armstrongβs home venue will hold 14,000-plus fans. The old arena could swell next season, when coach Sean Miller debuts a freshman class considered one of the best in the country. Armstrong is expected to join five-star Phoenix guard Nico Mannion and Aussie wing Josh Green in the backcourt. Christian Koloko gives the UA four signees; a fifth player, forward Zeke Nnaji, has verbally committed but cannot sign a letter-of-intent until the spring signing period.
βI think I fit in well,β Armstrong said. βWeβre gonna go in and have a great year.β
Originally from Michigan, Armstrong is a 6-foot-7-inch, 185-pound guard who can both drive to the basket and create his own shot. His length and aggressiveness are what made UA head coach Sean Miller want him for next season.
βItβs not that he does one thing well; itβs the versatility that jumps off the page when you watch him,β Miller said. βThe best has yet to come.β
Kyle Weaver, Armstrongβs current coach, can attest to that.
βTheyβre getting a 6-7 athletic guard that is freaky,β Weaver said. βHeβs a guy that can attack you down the lane, can hit a jumper and a guy thatβs a threat to throw lobs. Heβs a guy that contests every shot around the rim and runs on fast-breaks. Heβs like LeBron James where he can go up and pin a shot. Theyβre getting a great kid and a great player.β
WATCH: Arizona signee Terry Armstrong hopeful for national title at UA
Armstrong said he models his game after two-time defending NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant. He wears No. 35, just like Durant, and will wear the number at Arizona. (Koloko also wears No. 35; Armstrong said the two settled the number dilemma over a group text.)
βSometimes, I play like KD,β he said.
While Armstrong doesnβt compare to the 6-11 Durant in terms of height, he could have a similar role on the wing next season. Armstrong is listed as a shooting guard, but can play either wing spot. Green is in the same boat, but vice versa. He is being recruited as a small forward, but could get minutes a shooting guard.
βIt doesnβt really matter. We both play well on the wing,β Armstrong said.
Armstrong and Green joins a crowded group of wings on Arizonaβs roster. Typically, a backcourt is made up of two guard. Arizona and Miller have so many options at guard that the small forward position has meshed into the backcourt. Brandon Randolph, Arizonaβs current small forward, was recruited to play shooting guard. So was Dylan Smith, who comes off the Wildcatsβ bench.
Randolph and Smith could both return next season. The backcourt rotation could include Mannion, Brandon Williams, Green, Randolph, Smith, Alex Barcello and Devonaire Doutrive.
Armstrong will fight for minutes, but heβs not thinking about how much time heβll see as a freshman. Heβs got one task on his mind.
βIβm gonna come in and help the program win a national title,β he said. βMe, Nico and Josh.β