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Shane Dezonie left one rebuilding program to sign with another.
The former Arizona signee announced Wednesday that he has committed to Vanderbilt, where he should see immediate playing time.
Just want to thank God for everything that he had put me through and that I will go through The real journey is about to begin! I want to thank Coach Stackhouse and the Vanderbilt staff for believing in me, I will be committing to Vanderbilt University #AnchorDown⚓️ pic.twitter.com/MPsgX7A2wx
— Shane Dezonie (@iamshanedezonie) May 6, 2021
Dezonie was released from his letter to intent to Arizona on April 27, weeks after the UA fired Sean Miller and hired Tommy Lloyd as its new head coach.
A 6-foot-5 guard from New Jersey, Dezonie was one of two Arizona signees – the other KJ Simpson – to be granted their release following Miller’s dismissal.
Dezonie is rated the No. 94 player in the 2021 class according to 247Sports Composite. He becomes the highest rated high schooler to commit to Vanderbilt under head coach Jerry Stackhouse.
Stackhouse, a two-time NBA All-Star and 2017 NBA D-League Coach of the Year, struggled to find success his first two seasons in Nashville. Vanderbilt won 20 total games in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Dezonie’s size and skillset should provide an immediate boost for a Commodores team that could lose star guard Scottie Pippen Jr. to the NBA Draft.
For Arizona, Dezonie’s departure is no great loss, though it does leave the program with one more locker to fill.
The UA’s lone remaining signee for the class of 2021 is Seattle shooting guard Shane Nowell. Nowell has given no word as to whether he will honor his pledge, but he is thought to have a close relationship with Wildcats assistant Jason Terry, who was retained under Lloyd.
The Arizona coaching staff is still seeking to fill five scholarships for the upcoming season.