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Rebecca Sasnett for Arizona Athletics

Men's Basketball Arizona Athletics

Arizona Welcomes O'Neal and Williams For 2018 Recruiting Class

The Wildcats picked up a pair of commitments for the 2018 recruiting class from Shareef O'Neal and Brandon Williams.

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Basketball program and head coach Sean Miller have added a pair of commitments to its recruiting class during the fall signing period. Guard Brandon Williams from and forward Shareef O'Neal with both join UA's 2018 recruiting class from Southern California. Williams and O'Neal will play their senior season of their prep careers before joining the Wildcats next season as freshmen.

Brandon Williams – 6-foot-2-inch 185 pounds – Guard – Encino, Calif.
  • Evaluated as a five star recruit at the time of his commitment
  • Widely-considered one of the top point guard prospects nationally for the 2018 class
  • Scored 16 points in CIF Division I Finals versus Berkeley as a sophomore
  • Product of Crespi Carmelite High whose alumni include former UVA guard London Perrantes
Coach Miller on Brandon: "Brandon did not sustain an injury, and that's important to note. He had some genetic issue with his leg that he was able to get fixed. To his family's credit, they were able to do it in time, but he missed a lot of action. He wasn't on the circuit this spring and summer. If he would've been, I believe he would've been a McDonald's All-American guard. What we love the most about him is that he can score and be a playmaker. He can score off the dribble, he's physically strong and he can shoot the three-point shot. The way the game is changing, you can put different guards out there at the same time and Brandon can play with anybody. We are looking at him to have an immediate impact. We are thrilled to have him. He also plays for a great high school coach, in a high school program that has produced some very good guards recently that have gone to college and have had success."

Shareef O'Neal – 6-foot-9-inch 215 pounds – Forward – Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Rated as a 5-star prospect, top-3 recruit in California and 24th overall by ESPN
  • Son of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal
  • Former teammate of current Wildcat Ira Lee at Crossroads School in Santa Monica, Calif.
  • Averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds a game as a junior, guiding Crossroads to California state semifinals
Coach Miller on Shareef: "Shareef O'Neal, because he is Shaquille's son, we almost want to compare the two but they are very different. Shareef is a versatile forward and wing player. He is very skilled and can shoot the three-point shot. I believe as he continues to develop, he'll be able to go inside and outside and for those who follow our program, it's that type of hybrid forward that thrives. I believe he will do those same things. Both are excellent kids and they know each other, which is awesome. It's exciting for all of us. It's exciting to have both those guys in our future."
 
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Players Mentioned

Ira Lee

#11 Ira Lee

F
6' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ira Lee

#11 Ira Lee

6' 7"
Freshman
F
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