Arizona’s first swing at its 2027 recruiting class came up empty on Tuesday, with 5-star center Darius Wabbington choosing Indiana over the Wildcats and Illinois.
That miss stings a little more because Wabbington is the kind of big man Arizona had reason to believe could thrive in Tucson. The 6-foot-10 center from Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix is ranked No. 2 at his position in the 2027 class by all three major recruiting outlets, with ESPN slotting him No. 9 overall, 247Sports No. 12 and Rivals No.
- He is also one of the most coveted centers in the country.
Wabbington’s path through the recruitment lined up neatly with the schools involved. He took his official visit to Indiana on Sep. 3, followed by Illinois on Sep. 19, then came to Tucson on Sep.
- In the end, though, he landed with Darian DeVries and the Hoosiers.
The appeal for Arizona was obvious. Wabbington stands 6'11 with a 7'4 wingspan, and his game goes well beyond size.
He can score, pass and handle the ball, and he brings elite footwork, soft hands and real touch around the rim. Under Tommy Lloyd, that kind of center fits the blueprint.
Lloyd likes his big men to function as offensive hubs away from the rim, and Wabbington had the tools to do exactly that while boosting both production and NBA draft stock.
Instead, Arizona is left still waiting for its first commitment in the 2027 class.
That makes the Wildcats’ remaining two Red-Blue Showcase visitors even more important. Five-star guard Adan Diggs and four-star forward Kamsi Awaka are now squarely in focus as Arizona tries to avoid striking out on all three.
Diggs is the bigger name of the two. The Millenium High School product is ranked No. 6 in the 2027 class by both 247Sports and Rivals, and he’s coming off a strong summer with Vegas Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit, where he averaged 18.3 points.
At 6'4 with a 6'7 wingspan, he brings a deep offensive package and improving playmaking. Arizona is viewed as the frontrunner, but the competition is real: Arkansas is set to host him on Oct.
10, Kentucky on Oct. 22, and his offer list also includes Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Houston, Alabama, BYU, LSU and more.
Awaka brings a different kind of draw, and a familiar one. The 6'10, 7'4-wingspan big man is the brother of Tobe Awaka, who spent two productive seasons under Lloyd at Arizona from 2023-2025.
Kamsi plays with the same kind of force and edge, using his strength, toughness and motor to rebound and protect the rim. He has already visited UConn, Florida, Michigan and Michigan State, but Arizona had an extra advantage with Tobe back in Tucson for the Red-Blue Showcase.
Lloyd’s recent recruiting track record remains strong. Arizona has landed top 30 prospects in 2026, 2025 and 2024, with Caleb Holt in 2026, Koa Peat, Brayden Burries and Dwayne Aristode in 2025, and Carter Bryant in 2024. But for the 2027 cycle, the Wildcats are off to a rough start.
There are still other names in play, too. Arizona has been connected to 4-star forward Asa Montgomery and 4-star center Cherif Millogo as Lloyd continues building toward the 2026-27 season.
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