Dusan Ristic announced on Saturday that he has committed to Arizona. The 7’0″ Ristic was the top-rated big man in the 2014 class in NetScouts Basketball’s International Recruiting Service.
Ristic, who was recruited by Wildcat Associate Head Coach Joe Pasternack, came over from Serbia to Sunrise Christian (KS) Academy recently. The Serbian decided that playing at Arizona was better for him to reach his goal of playing in the NBA than signing professionally in Europe. “I wanted to improve my skills and my body, and the best way to do that was in America,” Ristic said. “I like college basketball, and that’s the main reason that I’m here.”
Ristic is an important piece for the Wildcat frontcourt next season with the likelihood of Aaron Gordon declaring for the NBA Draft. Ristic can backup Kaleb Tarczewski at center, assuming Tarczewski returns for his junior year, as well as play power forward.
This is what we said about Ristic in our International Recruiting Digest ” An intriguing prospect. Lots of successful international experience. He has nice size and length. He’s fluid and coordinated. Good job in pick and roll situations and cutting to the basket. Sparks of potency and assertiveness. Starting to shoot for mid/long range. Runs the floor nicely. Has huge upside. Needs to fill his frame and bulk up some. We project him as a likely 2015 NBA first round draft choice”.
Ristic had been playing for Crvena Zvezda in Serbia prior to arriving in the USA. Ristic caught our eye at the 2011 U16 European Championships in the Czech Republic where he averaged 14.4ppg and 8.3rpg. We scouted him again at the 2012 U18 European Championships in Lithuania where he helped Serbia to the bronze medal by averaging 4.2ppg and 4.3rpg.
Colleges interested in NetScouts Basketball’s International Recruiting Service can get additional information here.
Any international players interested in coming to the USA to play in college, prep school or high school can contact us here.
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