Terrance Ferguson Reportedly to Play in Australia Instead of Arizona University

Arizona's 2016 recruiting class took a major hit Thursday, as 5-star shooting guard Terrance Ferguson has decided to play professionally in Australia rather than attend the University of Arizona, where he had previously committed, according to Jason Jordan of USA Today. 

"Terrance Ferguson informed me earlier this week that he has decided to pursue professional opportunities instead of attending the University of Arizona this fall," Wildcats head coach Sean Miller said in a statement, per Matt Moreno of Rivals.com. "I hope this next chapter of his basketball career goes well, and his goal of one day becoming an NBA player is realized."

According to Jordan, Ferguson "is pursuing an opportunity with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia."

The Advanced Prep International prospect, who stands 6'7" and weighs 180 pounds, is considered the No. 2 shooting guard, the No. 3 player from the state of Texas and the No. 16 prospect overall in the class of 2016, according to 247Sports.

ESPN Insider offered the following scouting report on the young prospect: "Ferguson is a long and athletic shooting guard with deep range. He is exciting in transition, and his game has continued to blossom in addition to Ferguson growing, which has put constant pressure on the defense. Ferguson is a skill high major shooting guard prospect."

Jeff Goodman of ESPN offered more analysis:

Like many young players, Ferguson needs to add strength and bulk, and as ESPN noted, his ball-handling and rebounding have room for improvement. But he is an exciting prospect and one who will be expected to spend a year overseas before hitting the 2017 NBA draft. 

Fellow API graduate Emmanuel Mudiay took a similar route to the NBA, forgoing the college game to play in China for one season.

Ferguson flashed some of his upside at the Nike Hoop Summit in April, putting up 21 points on seven three-pointers for the USA Junior National Select Team against the World Select Team.

As for Arizona, the Wildcats remain loaded. Per 247Sports, the school still has three 5-star prospects in the class of 2016: power forward Lauri Markkanen, shooting guard Rawle Alkins and combo guard Kobi Simmons.

That leaves the Wildcats stacked at guard, with Allonzo Trier also returning after his promising 2015-16 season. The team will be young in 2016-17 but stocked with talent, and even without Ferguson, Arizona should be a contender to win the Pac-12 and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

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