Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball receives big commitment from five-star recruit

The Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball program has acquired one of the top uncommitted players in the Class of 2025.

Dwayne Aristode, a five-star recruit, has committed to the Wildcats according to 247Sports, a move that also gives the Wildcats their first commitment of the cycle.

Aristodes’ promise is non-binding. The earliest he can sign with the Wildcats is during the early signing period next month.

He is preparing for his final prep season at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH and is ranked as the No. 28 overall recruit by 247 sports.

The 6-foot-2 small forward was one of the most sought-after uncommitted players left this cycle. In June, he posted a list of his top 15 programs on his social media and it was a who’s who of college basketball programs.

He reportedly made his official visit to Arizona in January. The other four schools he officially visited were Duke, USC, Michigan State and Wake Forest.

The Netherlands native told 247Sports that the culture of the program had a lot to do with his interest.

“They are good,” said Aristode. “I was visiting there in January when I broke my finger. It was a good visit. Coach Lloyd and what he’s done with the program obviously likes Europeans, I’m European myself and half the team is European. “They play too much European and American, so they play with great size every time.”

Arizona is preparing for its first season in the Big 12 Conference with a roster that includes two members of its Class of 2024, a class ranked 25th overall in 247 sports.

Small forward Carter Bryant of Corona, California, was also ranked 28th overall in his class and was rated a four-star player. Arizona also secured another four-star player: 7-foot center Emmanuel Stephen from Dream City Christian in Glendale, Arizona. He was considered one of the top 125 players coming out of high school.

Big 12 coaches picked Arizona to finish fifth in the conference in the Big 12 Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll released earlier this week. Arizona received one first place vote.

Arizona guard Caleb Love was the only Wildcat named to the first-team All-Big 12 preseason team.

Love, a fifth-grader, was voted an All-American by six different media outlets as he finished last season as a team leader with 18 points per game. He also led the team in 3-pointers (92), field goals (218) and free throws (120).