Arizona still in the hunt for big-time recruits

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Mike Bibby and Michael Dickerson chat before appearing at the halftime show during the football game on Saturday. Basketball coach Lute Olson is currently seeking talent to replace Dickerson and most likely Bibby, if the sophomore enters the NBA early.

Anderson is one of Arizona's most prized recruits and his coach at Polytechnic High School said that Arizona has reason to believe.

"I would think that Arizona is one of two (he is deciding on)," coach Ron Palmer said. "And I believe he is one of the top 10 or 15 players in the country."

Palmer did not say which other school Anderson was considering and Anderson was unavailable because of his school schedule. However, given his ability and his proximity to Westwood, Calif., its' a safe bet the race will come down to UA and UCLA.

Anderson is a versatile player who works everywhere from shooting guard to power forward in the Poly offense.

"And he'd play center too if we chose to put him there, but we have a 6-10 center," Palmer said. "He's got excellent shooting skills and excellent range and he's a very gifted player. He handles the ball well, also."

Add the fact the Anderson's father played for Olson during the Wildcat coach's single year at Long Beach City College and Arizona's chances look good.

Arizona head coach Lute Olson and staff cannot comment on a player until he has signed a letter of intent. The fall signing period begins Nov. 12.

Olson is currently in Illinois visiting Traves Wilson, a 6-3, 205 pound guard from Moline, Ill., and Chicago Farragut Academy forward Michael Wright.

Wilson recently made it public after making his official visit that he would accept a scholarship to UA if he was offered one.

Wright, a 6-9 forward who played with Minnesota Timberwolf Kevin Garnett his freshman season, has shortened his list to Arizona and Syracuse.

Olson and staff have four scholarships to offer - with an open one plus the loss of Miles Simon, Bennett Davison and Michael Dickerson after the season. Arizona could have five or even six to distribute if sophomore point guard Mike Bibby leaves early for the NBA and if Dion Broom doesn't become academically eligible for the spring semester.

Richard Jefferson, featured recently in a Sports Illustrated article detailing the summer recruiting push, added Arizona State back to his list now that Bill Frieder resigned from the position.

Jefferson, a versatile 6-7 guard from Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, would be a good fit to fill Simon's spot. He's plays both guard positions as well as the three spot (Dickerson's position) in Moon Valley's system.

With Rick Majerus the rumored favorite to take over at ASU, things get complicated. Majerus promised to let him play the shooting guard spot at Utah. However, if Majerus does accept the ASU post it probably wouldn't be for at least a season, leaving Jefferson with the decision of whether to play for a rebuilding ASU team or an established Arizona program.

Coaches like Jefferson for his attitude and work ethic, two things he has improved on from three years ago.

"As a freshman, he was immature. He was hard to even like," Moon Valley coach John Boie said. "His ability now to bring up his intensity level has helped his game."

He has said that he favors Arizona over UCLA and Utah but Boie said the decision has yet to be made.

Luke Walton, the 6-7 son of former Pac-10 Conference great Bill Walton, has also listed Arizona among his favorites -æalong with his father's alma mater.

Odea High School star Doug Wrenn, who is close friends with fellow Seattle native Jason Terry, is scheduled to visit Tucson and is expected to choose between Washington and Arizona.