zahn signs

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Hanour & Zahn Sign LOI's With Arizona;
Manker Commits To OSU--(Apr. 13, 2000)

6'-8" Sr. PF Andrew Zahn

The University of Arizona signed two players to LOI's yesterday. One, Andrew Zahn (6'-9" Sr. PF) from Redondo Union had committed verbally several months ago to coach Lute Olson, and the other, Travis Hanour (6'-6" Sr. SG/SF) from Laguna Beach HS, had only recently committed. Both were recruited by several other Pac-10 schools, including Zahn by Washington State, UCLA, and USC, and Hanour by USC and Oregon State. Zahn is clearly the more highly regarded player, having had a national reputation for several years, while Hanour largely was an unknown prior to this year's high school season.

For several weeks there had been talk that Hanour had committed verbally, first to USC, then to Oregon State, and finally the University of Arizona crept into the picture. Hanour and his friend and high school teammate Chris Manker (6'-10" Sr. F/C) from Laguna Beach HS, both took an official visit to Oregon State this past weekend, and following the visit, Manker committed verbally to Oregon State's Ritchie McKay. There has been no official announcement from Oregon State on any signing yet with Manker, but it's anticipated that he will sign an LOI in the next few days (remember, schools cannot officially comment on prospective recruits until they receive a signed National Letter of Intent).

In any event, the signings by Zahn and Hanour have now been officially confirmed. Here's the press release from the University of Arizona:

UA Men's Basketball Signs Two Players on the First Day of Late Signing Period

April 12, 2000
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.