And now we're living together on under the same roof again.". The Sun Devils developed a 16-point lead in the first half that was squandered when ASU went down 67-64 with 12:33 remaining in the game. ASU junior forward Taeshon Cherry scored 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting including three made 3-pointers but it was the energy that he provided that fired up Hurley enough after the game to say that the technical foul he got was in support of Cherry getting one earlier in the half for his desired show of emotion. Josh Christopher, a five-star shooting guard ranked No. In our scrimmage the other day, I had a spurt where I struggled a little bit. You’re only looking at the limited number of teams. Christopher is part of the best recruiting class the school has ever had, the other jewel being forward Marcus Bagley, a 6-8 forward out of Sacramento Sheldon and the younger brother of the Sacramento Kings' Marvin Bagley. Yet, there was still plenty to come away impressed from for the prized recruit who took his official visit this past weekend. Ellis was the Panhandle Conference player of the year and named a second-team All-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) on Monday. "He's fearless. ASU Basketball: Josh Christopher notebook. 18 Arizona State defeated Rhode Island 94-88 Wednesday in the semifinal round of the 2K Empire Classic at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, to start the year 1-0. • Holland Woods, 6-1, guard, Portland State. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy. Prior to the first game of the season, Hurley said Graham was not only ready to step in for White this year, but could help ASU “not miss a beat at that position, if not more.” For that to be true, Graham will need to remain available throughout the course of an entire game moving forward. I think that was the first time he really yelled at me," Christopher said. Forecasts have had him favoring Michigan. White had declared for the NBA draft, as did guards Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge, but the coach said he expected White to return. In his true freshman campaign last season, Graham averaged 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game as a reserve post player behind White. The man got paid to play basketball. While Josh Christopher only began his official visit to ASU on Friday and attended the Utah contest, his father did actually attend both that game and the Colorado one. The shooting guard choose ASU over schools such as UCLA, USC, Missouri and Michigan. The Sun Devils could also draw No. The Sun Devils have so much scoring capacity from other guards that it will serve the team well to not have Christopher or other newcomers over-dribbling in this early feeling out process as they work to sync things up. © 2020 Verizon Media. ASU basketball recruiting: Sun Devils in mix for Joshua Christopher, Joshua Morgan, others Michelle Gardner Arizona Republic View Comments The … With the win, the Sun Devils advance to face No. In the last two seasons, Arizona State has often gone as far as Remy Martin has taken it. The team graduated only two seniors but four athletes hit the transfer portal and veterans Remy Martin and Romello White are exploring professional opportunities. I've always used the month of July to get a handle on how we need to play what our strengths are and things of that nature.". Christopher, the No. While the Rams only were created with nine offensive rebounds and nine second-chance points, it felt like more, mostly because of the timing of them, with six offensive rebounds and six second-chance points coming while the game was tight in the second half. Part of their issue, of course, was the foul trouble of sophomore forward Jalen Graham leaving somewhat of a void on the interior. This is guard U. I'm a guard.". He averaged 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Big West as a freshman. In June the Division I Council is expected to vote on a change to the transfer rule that could eliminate sit-out transfers and make all eligible right away. A lot of people don’t see or pay attention, but that boy really works his tail off. Fittingly, Christopher will wear Harden's No. The Arizona State Press Snapchat, @statepress. 3 Villanova in the championship game of the 2K Empire Classic on Thursday night. He later made two key free throws with 5:52 remaining and set up free throw attempts for Sun Devil freshman forward Marcus Bagley with 1:08 to go to give his team a two-possession lead in the final minutes. A couple others who could end up in ASU colors: • Joshua Morgan, 6-11 center, Long Beach State. In 25 minutes, Osten was tied for the team’s highest plus/minus with Bagley at +13 and recorded six rebounds and three blocks. "We were really confined so there was nothing else to do.". Are you a sports fan? Verge was one of the biggest reasons why the Sun Devils surged to a seven-game winning streak in conference play last season and has been one of their best leaders in the preseason according to Hurley, so it is pretty early to panic about his offensive output. Who’s going to take a charge? Arizona State basketball coach Bobby Hurley has never been at a loss for words. I really enjoyed how he embraces and empowers his guys. “Since freshman year, I’ve been just doing whatever my team needs me to do and I think that when we win, everybody is happy,” Martin said in the preseason. They got a lot of deflections, forced 17 turnovers for the game and scored 17 points off those takeaways, which allowed them to build an early lead along with what was a heavy advantage at the free-throw line. Christopher, ranked 10th nationally by both ESPN and 247Sports, has a final five of UCLA, USC, MIssouri, Michigan and ASU. "We were really confined so … The other new additions are transfers Holland Woods (Portland State) and Luther Muhammad (Ohio State). “The basketball will make its way from one corner to the other and back to the other, I promise you. MORE: Roster turnover not unusual for ASU basketball under Bobby Hurley. He held them accountable and built them up at the same time. However, he is expected to be one of their biggest weapons this season and will need to be more efficient and engaged for them to have a chance at winning on Thursday and as they look for their first Pac-10/12 regular-season championship in their history. Visiting a team is always connected to their style of play. "This year I was looking for a little more of a challenge so I told him, push me as hard as you can, whatever you got. “That to me can be contagious in the gym. "Style of play," Christopher said, "access to the league (NBA) - who can best prepare him for that level and have him be an elite athlete. The arrival of Christopher, who had been rumored leaning toward Michigan before declaring for ASU on April 13, has Sun Devil faithful excited. He's the highest rated recruit the school has ever landed at No. Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. Who’s getting on the floor for a loose ball? 7 ranked prospect nationally by 247Sports with ESPN tabbing him at No. Against Villanova, the Sun Devils will have to defend one of the nation’s most efficient offensive teams over the last few seasons. Here is what Arizona State freshman guard Joshua Christopher — the highest-rated prospect to sign with the program in its history — said on Monday about the potential of this year’s ASU … "He's not afraid of the challenge to go to Arizona State and help us take another big step.