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“@SethOnHoops: My take on Arizona http://t.co/2sHVS2QaCk” Seth Greenberg I'd like you to meet @York_City1 . He's the answer to the jumper Q.
— Michael Burkhart (@burkhartlaw) November 1, 2013
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My first recollection of Arizona Wildcats guard Gabe York was watching him shoot, shoot and shoot during an AAU game at a Las Vegas high school auxiliary gymnasium — you know, the small one adjacent to the larger gym — with a handful of college coaches before his junior year at the prep level in 2010.
I got a tip that Arizona coach Sean Miller may watch York play with the Compton Magic there. When I arrived, I saw Kevin O’Neill of USC in a corner, ASU’s Herb Sendek and UCLA’s Ben Howland. No sign of Miller, not even assistants Book Richardson or Archie Miller.
I stepped out to the big gym later and saw Richardson watching high-profile recruit Jahii Carson play.
I thought to myself, “So this is where it’s at? … Are they even interested in York?”
After York’s game, in which he showed one of the more deft shooting touches I’ve seen from a prospect his age, I asked the 16-year-old at the time if he had Arizona high on his list.
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“I’m looking at a lot of schools and they’re one of them,” York said. “I can’t really say where they stand right now because I’m just getting to know all about them.” From then until now, York has not only established a relationship with Miller, he has reached a trust level that has kept him in Tucson though difficult odds. Miller sold York on the program, beating other Pac-12 programs that may have shown more of interest earlier, and he confided in York that belongs with the Wildcats. |
Miller offered York a scholarship the following summer after I saw York for the first time. York accepted that offer six months later. Although York played sparingly last season as a freshman, he holds no regrets for trying to continue to build his relationship with Miller and his staff.
If York does not give up on his Arizona experience, what does that say about the guard’s ability to accept the responsibility of becoming a better basketball player? He could have transferred elsewhere and disregarded the need to improve his defense and conditioning.
Bruce Pascoe wrote a marvelous piece on York this week for The Arizona Daily Star.
“I give Gabe and his family tremendous credit because they didn’t take the easy way out,” Miller is quoted as saying by Pascoe. “I think they did what was right, and Gabe continues to evolve. He’s doing a great job in school, he’s a year older, he’s stronger.
“Moving forward he can have an even bigger role in the future and maybe evolve into an all-conference player.”
Countdown to Tip-off Blogs:
— Mark Lyons, Michael Wright at No. 2 were Arizona Wildcats right up there, this close, to top
— Arizona Wildcats No. 3 players experienced seasons to remember
— T.J. McConnell hoping to play big wearing No. 4 for Arizona Wildcats
— Leon Blevins, Jawann McClellan team captains who impacted Arizona Wildcats different ways
— Steve Rivera produces another book about Arizona Wildcats basketball
— Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller featured on Seth Davis Show
— Arizona Wildcats basketball: Top-5 memorable Elite Eight games
— Twitter feed reads on Day No. 9 of countdown to tip off
— Arizona Wildcats’ career assist record an unassailable mark
— Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller on freshman Aaron Gordon: Defense “deal-breaker” for wing spot
— No. 12 symbolizes success after hoops career for two Arizona Wildcats guards
— No. 13 not unlucky for couple of Arizona Wildcats standout guards
— No. 14 for Arizona Wildcats includes two pivotal players who revived program
— No. 15 embodies grit, determination and intelligence for Arizona Wildcats
— Ranking Arizona Wildcats’ top Sweet 16 victories
— Arizona Wildcats guard T.J. McConnell on Bob Cousy Award Watch List
— ASU’s Jahii Carson Arizona Wildcats’ top opposing player this season
— Mike Bibby, Tedy Bruschi spend day with Arizona Wildcats
— Arizona Wildcats guard Jordin Mayes sets sight on successful senior season with 20-20 vision
— Unsung players wore No. 21 proudly for Arizona Wildcats
— Jason Gardner’s No. 22 is retired but Coniel Norman and Ray Owes also wore number admirably for Arizona Wildcats
— Arizona Wildcats No. 23 players historic in different ways
— No. 24 in Arizona Wildcats history one for the statistical record books
— Steeeeeeeeve Kerrrrrrrr!!!!
— A look at the greatest takeaways from Arizona Wildcats’ Red-Blue Scrimmage
— A look at past, future today with Arizona Wildcats’ Red-Blue Scrimmage
— Arizona Wildcats’ Aaron Gordon vying to become third freshman to win Pac-12 player of year
— Ernie McCray did more than score for Arizona Wildcats
— Arizona Wildcats’ No. 31 not retired with Jason Terry’s name but should be
— No. 32 most storied jersey number in Arizona Wildcats history
— No. 33 in Arizona Wildcats history symbolic of hard work ethic, ideal role players
— Simon says: No. 34 special with two of Arizona Wildcats’ greatest wearing jersey number
— If Arizona Wildcats center Kaleb Tarczewski has field-goal percentage like Jud Buechler, UA will be fine
— Arizona Wildcats legend Sean Elliott scored career-high 36 points opposing Sean Miller
— Nick Johnson looks to improve perimeter shooting, limit turnovers
— Jordin Mayes hoping to return to shooting form earlier in Arizona Wildcats career
— 39 days and counting toward Arizona Wildcats’ season
— Joe Skaisgir best Arizona Wildcats basketball player you’ve never heard of
— Nick Johnson looks to improve FG percentage while Arizona Wildcats limit opponents
— Chris Mills, A.J. Bramlett reached Arizona Wildcats stardom via different paths, roles
— Jordan Hill climbed hill for notoriety while Ed Nymeyer lived up to hype with Arizona Wildcats
— Fantastic Four who wore No. 44: Jersey special for Arizona Wildcats program
— Two of Arizona Wildcats’ best centers — Sean Rooks and Channing Frye — donned No. 45
— Arizona Wildcats great Ernie McCray reminisces about his record-setting 46-point performance
— Arizona Wildcats star recruit should not be compared to Blake Griffin
— Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller on fast track to Pac-12 success
— Things you may not know about Arizona Wildcats point guard T.J. McConnell
— Arizona Wildcats will benefit from presence of Joseph Blair in practice
— Arizona Wildcats preparing for what could be memorable 2013-14 season
WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report, Lindy’s College Sports and TucsonCitizen.com.
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