It's official: Terrance Ferguson is no longer a Wildcat. If he was ever one to begin with.
UA coach Sean Miller said Thursday morning that Ferguson will "pursue professional opportunities overseas" rather than play for the Wildcats. The announcement comes following weeks of speculation about Ferguson's ability to qualify academically and reports that the "3 and D" player was on the verge of signing both a professional contract and a shoe deal.
Thursday, Ferguson confirmed in an article he wrote for Players Tribune that he'd be signing with the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League in Australia.
"This fall, I was supposed to be playing for the University of Arizona," Ferguson wrote. "But when life gives you an opportunity like this, you can’t pass it up."
He attributed the decision to a desire to support his family and to further develop his game at a professional level.
Ferguson is a five-star recruit who announced his commitment to Arizona in mid-April, but never signed a binding letter of intent. He's projected as a top-10 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
"I hope this next chapter of his basketball career goes well, and his goal of one day becoming an NBA player is realized," UA coach Sean Miller said in a statement.
Both 247sports.com and the Adelaide Advertiser reported earlier this month that Ferguson was expected to sign a contract with an Australian professional team and an endorsement deal with Under Armour rather than play for the Wildcats. Ferguson was supposed to start a UA summer course last week, but never showed.
In the Players Tribune article, Ferguson wrote that the 36ers first approached him at the Nike Hoop Summit in April, before he had even announced his verbal commitment to the Wildcats.
"They really liked how I played," Ferguson wrote, "and started talking about how they could develop me even further. That’s what really got my attention."
Sports Illustrated mentioned Ferguson's situation in a story that ran in last week's issue. In it, SI said the NCAA would not accept courses from Ferguson's high school, Advanced Preparatory Institute of Dallas. API was appealing the April 21 ruling, according to SI. API is an offshoot of Prime Prep Academy, the Deion Sanders-affiliated school that produced Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay. Mudiay was a former UA target who, like Ferguson, went overseas — to China — and signed with Under Armour amid concerns over his academic transcripts.
When Ferguson, a 6-foot-7-inch wing, announced his commitment to the Wildcats back in April, he helped UA rise to the No. 3 overall recruiting class in the nation for 2016, according to ESPN.com. The Wildcats still have three five-star players remaining: Rawle Alkins, Kobi Simmons and Lauri Markkanen.
Thursday's news might sound familiar to some Wildcats fans. Brandon Jennings, considered the No. 1 overall recruit, backed out of a commitment to the Wildcats in 2008 and and spent a year playing in Italy before entering the 2009 NBA Draft. The Milwaukee Bucks took him with the 10th overall pick.
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