UPDATE: There are a few different reasons why Leaf may have chose to decommit.
5-star recruit T.J. Leaf decommits from Arizona
The Wildcats have lost their best recruit in the class of 2016.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Forward T.J. Leaf has backed off his verbal pledge from Arizona, decommitting from Sean Miller’s Wildcats on Thursday night, according to Evan Daniels of Scout. Leaf, who originally committed to Arizona in November, will reopen his recruitment and immediately become one of the most coveted players in the class of 2016.
Leaf, a native of El Cajon, Calif., is rated as the No. 9 prospect in his class according to ESPN. He’s a 6’10 face-up power forward, who also took visits to UCLA, Michigan and Florida before committing to Arizona. Duke was also showing interest.
Leaf was Arizona’s only commitment in the class of 2016. Arizona is also said to be a serious suitor for top three player Josh Jackson, and five-star guard Markelle Fultz in the class of 2016.
This is the second high-profile commit that Miller has lost in the last year. Guard Tyler Dorsey also backed off a pledge for Arizona and later committed to Oregon.
Miller has been recruiting as well as any coach in the country, aside from John Calipari and Mike Krzyzewski in the last few years. The Wildcats bring in a strong four-man class for this season, led by combo guard Allonzo Trier.
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