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Gabe York bringing his slick jumper to the Arizona Wildcats

Bang!
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?