Modesto Christian’s Jamari Phillips verbally committed to the Arizona Wildcats on Sunday night.

 Andy Alfaro, The Modesto (Calif.) Bee

After visiting Arizona this weekend for its 75-70 win over Tennessee, four-star 2023 guard Jamari Phillips committed to the Wildcats.

Phillips, a 6-foot-3 guard from Modesto (Calif.) Christian, is the Wildcats' first commit in the class of 2024. He was offered a scholarship on Nov. 6 and was scheduled to visit UA this weekend along with club-ball teammate Carter Bryant, a 2024 forward that UA offered a scholarship to in June.

After his visit, Phillips made a relatively quick decision to commit midway through his junior season but told On3 he chose Arizona because of a mutual fit.

β€œI believe in the coaching staff and they believe in me," Phillips told On3. "I can see myself going there and being really successful in that program. I know it’s going to feel like home.Β 

β€œWhen it’s my time to come in, I’m going to make the best of it and really go after it.”

While Phillips is rated a four-star player, he had a number of high-major offers, including one from UCLA. In addition, 247 Sports has listed him as the No. 25 player in the class of 2024 and the No. 6 shooting guard.

After seeing Phillips play in October, 247 analyst Adam FinkelsteinΒ said he lived up to his reputation as a shooter while showing off other skills.

"There were a couple of high-level passes that stood out, while he also was a committed defender," Finkelstein wrote. "With good positional size in the backcourt and the ability to play both on and off the ball, he checked a lot of boxes."

McKale Center was built at the University of Arizona in the early 1970s. There have been updates through the years.

Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today.

Contact sports reporter Bruce Pascoe at bpascoe@tucson.com. On Twitter: @brucepascoe