The Rivalry Just Got Spicier: Joson Sanon Flips to ASU
The in-state rivalry between Arizona and ASU just got a whole lot more interesting. 5-star guard Joson Sanon, who had previously committed to Arizona, has flipped his commitment to ASU. This move adds another layer to the already heated rivalry between the two schools, especially with both teams set to join the Big 12 Conference.
Arizona Wildcats logo
Sanon, ranked 24th in the country by 247Sports, had committed to Arizona in March, but a lot has changed since then. Caleb Love, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, has announced his return to Arizona for another season, and the Wildcats have also added a pair of wings from the NCAA transfer portal. This likely contributed to Sanon’s decision to back off his pledge.
ASU Sun Devils logo
ASU, on the other hand, has had a huge offseason, landing 5-star center Jayden Quaintance after he asked out of his national letter of intent following John Calipari’s departure to Kentucky. The Sun Devils have also added five transfers, including ex-USC power forward Brandon Gardner and former Ole Miss point guard Austin Nunez.
In other news, Indiana guard Trey Galloway is rehabbing a knee injury ahead of his fifth-year senior season. Coach Mike Woodson shared an update on Galloway’s status, saying he’s going through rehab and isn’t ready to play yet, but they’re hopeful he’ll be back for the start of the 2024-25 season.
Indiana Hoosiers logo
Galloway is coming off a career year, averaging 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He’s among six Indiana returners in 2024-25, along with Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako, Anthony Leal, Gabe Cupps, and Jakai Newton. Indiana has also added five transfers and one incoming freshman, five-star wing Bryson Tucker.
Meanwhile, Mark Sears is returning to Alabama for his fifth and final season of college basketball. The All-American point guard is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and will lead the Crimson Tide, who have a chance to be ranked preseason No. 1. Sears has a great chance of being named preseason SEC Player of the Year and a preseason All-American.
Alabama Crimson Tide logo
The Crimson Tide also returned starters Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. from last season’s Final Four run, while adding four high-level transfers and the No. 2-ranked recruiting class in the country.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting season in college basketball, with plenty of talent and rivalries to keep an eye on.
