The Arizona men’s basketball program has lost another recruit, this time guard Abdul Gaddy.
Gaddy told Scout.com that he’s going to open up his recruiting for the coming season. Gaddy, a 6-foot-3 guard from Tacoma (Wash.) Bellermine Prep said he still has Arizona on his list, but he has recommitted to the program.
“I was comfortable with the coaching staff but once there was a change, I don’t know the new guys and they haven’t really been in contact with me (outside of a call from Coach Olsen and Reggie Geary),” Gaddy told Scout.com.
“I’m going to look at my options. Arizona is still my front-runner.”
Gaddy did not return a message left from the Citizen last night.
He told Scout.com recruiting analyst Dave Telep that Pac-10 school’s Southern California, Oregon, Washington are all possible destinations.
Others include Memphis, Texas, Kansas and Gonzaga.
Gaddy committed to UA last summer. He most recently was here as part of the Cactus Classic, playing for the Northwest Panthers. He and his family spent an extra day on UA’s campus visiting with new UA coaches Mike Dunlap and Russ Pennell.
Still, Gaddy felt most comfortable with the previous coaching staff, including interim head coach Kevin O’Neill. Former assistant Josh Pastner is now at Memphis and Miles Simon’s contract for next season has not been renewed.
“Everything was solid with them, even when Coach (Olson) took hi absence,” Gaddy told Scout.com. “He kept his promise and I believed him.
I was solid on them and they were my favorite school. But, I also built good relationship with Josh Pastner, Kevin O’Neill and
Miles Simon. I was confident those 4 guys would help me get to the NBA.
Three of those guys are gone now and they brought in new guys. I don’t know them.”
Gaddy is ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2009 while Bradley is No. 36 (an rising).
Gaddy was the only recruit to have verbally committed to UA for the 2009 class.
It comes about two weeks after incoming recruit Emmanuel Negedu asked for the release from his letter of intent for next season.