Arizona Hears Major News on High-Level Prospect

Since taking over Arizona, head coach Tommy Lloyd has been one of the most successful up-and-coming coaches in college basketball going 112-33 over the course of the last four seasons making the NCAA Tournament each season and leading the program to three Sweet Sixteen appearances.

This past season, Lloyd and his program entered a new era of Arizona basketball with the Wildcats leaving the Pac-12 and joining the Big 12 Conference. In UA’s first season in a new conference, the team went 24-13 while finishing third in the conference standings.

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) drives to the basket against Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) during the first half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

In the Big 12 Tournament, the Wildcats made it to the conference title game and fell 72-64 to Houston, which would go on to play for the National Title.

Following the end to the season, Arizona lost star guard Caleb Love to graduation and forward Carter Bryant to the NBA Draft where he went No. 14 overall to the San Antonio Spurs.

Plus, Arizona saw two key players in KJ Lewis and Henri Veesaar leave the program and transfer to Power 4 programs.

Despite that, Arizona will be fully loaded again with four key returners in Jaden Badley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell’Orso and Motiejus Krivas. Plus, Lloyd and his staff signed the No. 2 recruiting class according to 24/7 Sports.

Nov 9, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Old Dominion Monarchs guard Devin Ceaser (13) fouls Arizona Wildcats center Motiejus Krivas (14) during the second half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Now, Arizona is locking in on the recruiting trail again and working to put together another high-level class for the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Lloyd and his staff always make sure to turn over every rock and even go back to check on the status of high-level recruits across the country to see if they can get a footing in the recruitment.

When looking at 24/7 Sports’ breakdown of five-star guard Caleb Holt out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Arizona was cold on his recruiting list.

However, while on the road for recruiting, Lloyd and his staff made sure to drop by Prolific Prep showing that they have an interest in Holt and his talents.

The visit to Florida seems to have paid off for Lloyd with the recent news that Holt scheduled a visit to Tucson during the program’s annual Red-Blue Showcase

Holt saw McKale Center rocking with a sold out crowd, 3-point contest, slam dunk contest, the game and stars like Shauille O’Neal and Rob Gronkowski bringing the energy.

Plus, Holt saw a postgame concert called “Post/Move” featuring coach Lloyd as his alter-ego Tomm-e, Mix Master Mike from the Beasty Boys and DJ Diesel “aka” O’Neal to headline the event.

Shaquille O'Neal, also known as DJ Diesel, performs during his Shaq’s Bass All-Stars show at Skydeck on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 29, 2024. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following the trip to Tucson, Holt announced that he will be canceling his trip to Aubrun, which is a great sign for the Wildcats. Plus, the Tigers are going through a coaching change with Bruce Pearl stepping down and his son Steven becoming the next head coach.

The fact that Arizona has been able to build momentum in the recruitment of Holt is a great sign for Lloyd and his staff. Arizona has taken its swing at the five-star talent and seems to be making ground to poentially land Holt.

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