UCLA Basketball could be a frontrunner for recent Arizona Wildcat de-commit, 5-star power forward T.J. Leaf, and continue the trend of pulling in big recruits to Westwood.
The Arizona basketball program was hit with some big news today as the #2 power forward in the state, T.J. Leaf, opened up his recruitment leaving the Wildcats without a recruit for 2016. Leaf is the #11 PF in the nation according to 247Sports.com and the second highest ranked in California. Leaf committed to the Wildcats back in November.
RELATED: Updated Scout Top 100 Has Two UCLA Basketball Commits
More from Basketball Recruiting
- UCLA Basketball: The case for the No. 1 2023 Recruiting Class
- College Basketball: Top Five 2023 Recruiting class rankings
- UCLA Basketball: The Bruins arguably has the No. 1 2023 Recruiting Class
- UCLA Basketball: Recruiting Rankings of the 2023 class called the “Outstanding Five”
- UCLA Basketball: A look back before analyzing the 2023-24 season
Leaf is a 6’9″, 215 lbs. athletic specimen that can seemingly do it all. Not only can he get above the rim and throw down some vicious dunks, but can run the ball as well as shoot from outside. He can also slash like a guy half his size. With his quick change of direction and length, Leaf can easily get around any defender and makes scoring look easy.
That is good to know if you are a UCLA basketball fan. Not only were the Bruins on his radar before he committed to Arizona, but 247Sports is predicting that head coach Steve Alford and UCLA are once again being heavily considered by Leaf.
According to their Crystal Ball, the Bruins are a lot more favorable to the San Diego County product and has now moved ahead of Arizona for his services.
This is a very good sign, especially taking into consideration how well Alford has done in recruiting lately. If Leaf does indeed commit to UCLA, he joins 2016 5-star PG Lonzo Ball and 4-star C Ike Anigbogu, who is a teammate of Leaf on the AAU team, the Compton Magic. The Bruins also got a commitment from 4-star 2017 PF Jalen Hill in recent weeks. Hill was another player that had spurned the Wildcats for UCLA basketball.
Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we closely follow the recruitment of Leaf by UCLA. In the mean time, enjoy this mix tape of Leaf.
Next: Bracket For Maui Invitational Released