Tucson, Ariz. On the opening day of the spring signing period, the
University of Arizona men's basketball program signed a pair of high school
players from the Southern California area.
The Wildcats signed Travis Hanour of Laguna Beach, Calif., and Andrew Zahn
of Redondo Beach, Calif., to national letters of intent. The two will
enroll at the UA as freshmen this fall.
Hanour is a 6-foot-6 inch, 200-pound combination guard who prepped at
Laguna Beach High School under head coach Brett Fleming. He played point
guard in high school and has the ability to play any one of the three
Wildcat guard positions. Last season as a senior, he averaged 25.7 points,
9.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game and shot 40% from the three-point
line. He was a first-team all-California Interscholastic Federation player
and the Pacific Coast League's most valuable player.
"Travis was a vital recruit for us, due to his ability to play all three
guard positions," head coach Lute Olson said. "We felt we needed a combo
guard badly. He has the size of a wing player, but played point guard in
high school, so we feel very comfortable with him when he plays with any of
the combinations of players we could have on the floor. He will give us the
flexibility in our backcourt that we have had here prior to last season."
"One of his biggest strengths is his ability to shoot the ball," said
Arizona assistant coach Rodney Tention, who was the primary recruiter of
Hanour. "He has really good range on his jumper and he is also a good
rebounder for a high school player. He is able to create off the dribble
and can really pass. Just like Andrew, he can help us a lot next year."
Zahn is a 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward who played at Redondo Union High
School for head coach Jim Neilsen. He will be able to play either the four
or the five positions for the UA. Last year, he averaged 20 points, 12
rebounds and three blocks per game. He led his team to a record of 25-5 in
1999-00 and an appearance in the California high school Division II-AA
semi-final game.
"We are pleased to have Andrew join the program," Olson said. "He is a
quality young man and gives us a guy who not only has size, but excellent
passing and shooting skills as well. He comes from an outstanding high
school program and that will help him be ready to compete at this level."
"Andrew is a banger inside and has an excellent mid-range jump shot," said
Tention, who was also the lead recruiter. "He passes well for a big guy and
he is a smart basketball player -- kind of like Luke Walton is for us. He
can hurt teams with his high post jump shot and with his athleticism, he is
suited to come in and make an impact."
Arizona now has one scholarship remaining.
