Arizona State Head Coach Herb Sendek and his basketball staff have done an excellent job in recruiting the state of Arizona in recent years, and Thursday evening they continued to make their claim for Arizona's top-rated talent.
After already making a big push for Corona Del Sol's talented sophomore guard Casey Benson and Pinnacle High School's superb sophomore guard Dorian Pickens, extending offers to both prospects early, the Sun Devils have done it again.
Thursday evening the Sun Devils' staff made an official scholarship offer to another member of Arizona's gifted 2014 class, as they made a strong push for South Mountain High School's 6-foot-7 sophomore wing prospect Zylan Cheatham.
The offer was Cheatham's first official scholarship offer of his young high school career, and the Arizona State staff made it very clear just how focused they are on Arizona's top-rated talent.
"It is a big honor," said Cheatham. "I really like their staff and Coach Sendek is a great guy. He really made me feel wanted and they are now definitely a school that I will consider strongly in my recruitment."
Cheatham is fresh off a big performance in last weekend's Double Pump Best Buy Challenge Hoop Fest, where he led his Arizona Magic Pump N' Run-2014 team to the championship of the 16U Division in the event. Cheatham's length, huge upside, versatility, defensive prowess and athleticism are glaring and the Sun Devil's staff made their push early to land the talented sophomore prospect.
Cheatham is also now receiving serious interest from Cal, Boise State, Utah State and UC-Santa Barbara after his strong performance last weekend.
Cheatham advised me that he does not plan to make his decision on a college anytime soon, and would rather take his time in making his decision for college.
"When I make my decision, it will not only be for the next four years of my life - it will determine my life for the next forty years," said Cheatham. "I want to think things through first and that will take some time. I really like what Arizona State had to say though."
Cheatham will travel this weekend with his Arizona Magic teammates and many other Arizona club teams to Las Vegas, where his team will participate in another Double Pump Event.
"Our team's goal is to win it again," said Cheatham. "We want to fill in any holes from last weekend's performance."
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: I have regarded Cheatham as a future big-time prospect, but he has put it all together much quicker than expected showcasing his superb athleticism, defensive ability and willingness to make sacrifices for his team to win. Cheatham is a high-energy, ultra-talented prospect with amazing upside as a player, and terrific work ethic. He will only continue to improve as a player a great deal over time, but his value as a lengthy wing prospect is a nice attribute that will have college coaches beating down his door over time. A very good mid-range shooter and player, but needs continued work on his jump shot with range to reach his full offensive potential as a player. Excellent slasher and open court player. Very few wing prospects can control the game defensively as Cheatham can, and as he continues to improve as a player offensively, watch out. Excellent shotblocker with good timing. Another elite-high major division-I prospect in an already absolutely loaded 2014 class for Arizona.
