UA nails down 4 letters of intent

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Phoenix native Richard Jefferson sits along the bench at McKale Center last month. Jefferson, who was recently the top vote getter in the "Best of the West" poll, signed his letter of intent to play at Arizona yesterday.

Richard Jefferson, Traves Wilson, Luke Walton, and Michael Wright all signed letters of intent yesterday and Ruben Douglas was expected to do the same.

Arizona sports information specialist Brett Hansen said the UA coaching staff would hold off on making a comment until the entire group faxed in their letters.

Wilson said he is excited to be a Wildcat but he is looking forward to his senior season at Moline (Illinois) High School as well.

"I've still got a season to play. I've got to go out and break the state scoring record," said Wilson from his coach's home last night. The 6-foot-3 guard is just 40 points from the goal.

Forward Richard Jefferson (6-8) of Phoenix, who was recently the top vote getter in the "Best of the West" poll, knew Arizona was his destination all along.

"UA is where I always wanted to be," he said.

Wright, a 6-9 forward from Farragut Academy in Chicago averaged 25 points and 17 rebounds a game last year, his first significant playing time after spending a year backing up Minnesota Timberwolves center Kevin Garnett.

"He is just a dominant rebounder," said Chicago Tribune prep writer Scott MacGregor.

Luke Walton, the 6-7 son of UCLA legend Bill Walton and Ruben Douglas, a 6-5 guard from Burbank, Calif., should play big roles in the absence of departing seniors Bennett Davison, Michael Dickerson and Miles Simon and most likely sophomore point guard Mike Bibby to the NBA.

The Wildcats were in the running for the top recruiting class in the nation but that title might have gone to DePaul last night when it signed Quentin Richardson of Chicago. Arizona had recruited him heavily but DePaul, which already had a solid recruiting class, signed Richardson who is rated in the top 10 of most services.

Another of Arizona's highly sought after recruits signed with another school. Forward Chris Richardson of Corpus Christi, Texas had kept all interested parties in suspense until late last night before signing with UNLV.