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Gabe York bringing his slick jumper to the Arizona Wildcats

Bang!

He's 6-foot-1 and listed at only 170 pounds, but hot-shooting guard Gabe York out of Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, Calif.) committed to the Arizona Wildcats and Sean Miller's basketball program Sunday afternoon, a story that first broke via Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times. He joins fellow 2012 recruit Grant Jerrett in the Wildcats' next recruiting class.

Rated 64th overall in the class by Scout.com, York brings a pure scorer that thrives by his jump shot. While not the largest guy, he can get looks thanks to a high release and his presence will be key when the Wildcats are without guard Kyle Fogg, who will have used up his eligibility after this 2011-12 season. Assuming incoming freshman Nick Johnson sticks around for his sophomore year, the depth of losing Fogg and also fellow guard Brendon Lavender fills a large hole in the 2012 class.

Jeff Borzello of CBSSports tweeted the following regarding the news of York's commitment.

Gabe York on his commitment to Arizona: "I felt in my heart that it was the right choice." Notre Dame, Marquette, Washington were finalists.


While listed as a shooting guard, the little guy is still No. 8 on ESPN's position rankings for the two. Here's their analysis on York's game:

He's one of the most prolific jump shooters in the country. He gets great lift on his shot and his range extends to 25-feet. In terms of finishing in transition, he is exceptional. He has excellent body control finishing in the paint area and he has had a number of highlight reel dunks in traffic throughout his young career. He has become less selfish with his shot selection, but York is a born scorer. His jump shot is smooth; especially when his feet are set and he can explode in transition-has had a number of high-level finishes in his young career.

As far as weaknesses are concerned, York could learn to have a better shot selection, though his success with the jump shot makes it not as big of a deal as it could. Then again, college ball is at a whole different level. York will need to improve his ball handling and slashing abilities, and his decision-making will also have to improve, because according to ESPN, he's not the most athletic guy on the court.

Though he's not a point guard, York is the type of player who could turn into a Salim Stoudamire-esque two-guard who will could wind up being a great four-year player. And who couldn't use a little Ben Gordon-like offensive shot in the arm? Paul Biancardi of ESPN compares York to that -- don't take this in a bad way -- to former ASU Sun Devil Eddie House or former Boston College guard Dana Barros.

Playing time will be there for York right off the bat, and for Arizona, his verbal becomes just another non-surprise in Miller's consistent recruiting efforts. Biancardi added the following:

Have known Zona HC Sean Miller since he was a player at Pitt when I was coaching at BC. Impressed with all of his success but not surprised.

 

HOW DO YOU LIKE THE ADDITION OF GABE YORK TO THE WILDCATS?

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Big get for the Wildcats!

This probably means the staff will back off Katin Reinhardt for good. They’ve also pretty much given up on Shabazz Muhammad.

Brandon Ashley is next, and I have a very good source telling me he’s going to become a Wildcat. It’s not if, but when.

Assuming Ashley becomes a Cat, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Miller and the staff shift their focus to 2013 unless a player of a very select group (Tacrzewski, McGary, Upshaw, Allen) wanted to commit as well.

"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55

by Scott Coleman on Jul 10, 2011 6:51 PM PDT reply actions  

huh?

“his decision-making will also have to improve, because according to ESPN, he’s not the most athletic guy on the court.”

  Umm, maybe they are talking about speed, or lateral quickness? They can’t be talking about him not being athletic when it comes to getting to the rim. As far as ups go Gabe York can rise with the best of them.

by MadN on Jul 10, 2011 8:15 PM PDT reply actions  

Talking about his quickness

Their profile says he doesn’t have the speed to separate from defenders off the dribble. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/65672/gabe-york

I haven’t seen him myself aside from the highlight reels so I can’t say if they’re correct or not (I trust ESPN knows a little bit though). But generally, as with all players, he could expand his game to become more than just a guy with a happy trigger finger.

by K_Zim on Jul 10, 2011 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Agreed, I've heard he's a bit of a chucker too...

  The greatest benefit of having a deep rotation of quality players is that Parrom, Mayes, Bunnies, and Josiah, all of these guys will be seasoned vets on the perimeter by the time that Gabe York gets to campus and will be ahead of him for PT (if they’re all still around). Nothing motivates like the bench, so whatever his weaknesses are I’m sure that coach will get through to him about working on them if he wants to see the court.

  One thing is for sure, the guy has a ridiculously smooth stroke from deep. Even if he just fills the role as 3-pt specialist he will be invaluable to the Cats who have been zoned a lot in recent years. You can never have too many guys who can knock down shots.

by MadN on Jul 10, 2011 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Assuming Turner and Johnson stay for their sophomore years ...

Think of how scary a Mayes/York combo would be coming off the bench. That’s probably the team’s two best pure shooters, though defensively they’d be a little undersized.

by K_Zim on Jul 11, 2011 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions  

You want pure?

Re: Mayes/York…“That’s probably the team’s two best pure shooters”

What?!?! Did you somehow forget about Brendon Lavender…THE most pure shooter on the team -via Sean Miller’s own mouth.

Gabe will be a great energy guy, hopefully. Unless he puts on weight and starts playin better D, his freshman year will be similar to DB’s.

Do Work Mr York.

by Wild95Cat on Jul 11, 2011 9:05 AM PDT reply actions  

BLav will be gone ...

… by the time York gets onto campus. Of course I didn’t forget about him.

by K_Zim on Jul 11, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

3pt specialist

The thing about three point specialists is they usually have one weak spot that screws them in college. And that is lack of defense, which is why Bejarano never played. Now I’m not saying they are equal, York looks a lot more athletic, but still, I hate labeling people “specialists” because they seem to never be able to shed the name.

by UofAlec on Jul 13, 2011 12:39 AM PDT reply actions  

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