Kaleb Tarczewski will thrive at Arizona 

When you are the second best center in your class in a year where there are a slew of talented big men, like Kaleb Tarczewski (Claremont, N.H./Saint Mark’s), you know you can play anywhere and with anyone.

The thought of him playing with PF Brandon Ashley (Oakland, Calif./Findlay Prep), PF Grant Jerrett (La Verne, Calif./La Verne Lutheran) and Gabe York (Orange, Calif./Orange Lutheran) at Arizona is exciting for coach Sean Miller. The roster is full of talent and that’s exactly one of the reasons Tarczewski went there. He is a true center with the ability to score inside, rebound and protect the basket by making opponents try and score over him. Throughout his career, both in high school and at the AAU level, he has been the center of attention for every opposing team demanding double teams. Along with his dominating size and effort to gain deep post position, he has a soft scoring touch.

Having a roster full of talent at every position will open the floor for Tarczewski to be able develop offensively in a natural fashion over time. Every time he steps on the floor, he won't be the only threat to score, which will eliminate any thought of double teaming him early in his career. Plus, he has been so well schooled in passing out of the post when there are two men on him, it will be second nature for him to find an open man, if he ever is double teamed. And while Ashley and Jerret are also seen as bigs, they are at their best facing the basket. Ashley can score the ball with a drive from the high post or even the wing and he can also make an open jumper out to 19 feet. Right now he swings between the SF and PF position and his transition to playing as a big perimeter player will happen soon. Jerrett is 6-10, but is most comfortable and dangerous facing the basket knocking down jumpers behind the arc. That leaves Tarczewski as the only true incoming post player in this class.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider