Five-star Phoenix big man Darius Wabbington chooses Indiana over Arizona, Illinois

Arizona invited four-star center Kamsi Awaka to the Red-Blue Showcase while the younger brother of former UA forward Tobe Awaka has also been considering Florida, as well as UConn, Michigan and Michigan State.

In addition, Arizona in May offered 7-4 Burkina Faso native Cherif Millogo, a four-star class of 2027 center at La Canada (Calif.) Flintridge, while the Wildcats have had success landing international big men such as current UA center Motiejus Krivas during spring signing periods.

For years, the Wildcats had made Wabbington and five-star guard Adan Diggs of Goodyear Millennium their priority in-state targets in the class of 2027, and are still considered in good position with Diggs, though Indiana pulled away late to land Wabbington.

Arizona hosted Wabbington and Diggs along with Awaka for the Red-Blue Showcase on Sept. 26, though three On3 analysts entered predictions Monday that Wabbington would choose Indiana and the Star received a similar indication. 

Adam Finkelstein, a recruiting analyst for 247 Sports, said Arizona and Indiana had an "intense recruiting battle" for what he called the most skilled big man in his class.

"There's a lot to like about Wabbington and particularly how he could fit into offensive structure," Finkelstein wrote. "But there's room for him to keep working on his body, shooting, finishing and overall efficiency to maximize his glaring talent."

Wabbington, who had also been considering Illinois, also attended the Red-Blue Showcase before last season, while taking in regular season Arizona home games against Auburn and Kansas at McKale Center.

“U of A, I’ve been a big fan of ever since I was young,” Wabbington told the Star at an Indianapolis-area recruiting event in April. “It’s a blessing for sure.”

During previous interviews with Rivals, Wabbington said he had an "amazing" relationship with UA coaches and that they had a clear plan for using him, but he also said he liked what Indiana had planned for Aidan Sherrell and how the Hoosiers wanted to plug him into that role.

Upon his commitment Tuesday, Wabbington elaborated. 

“I decided IU was the place for me because of the love that was shown while I was there and the love I got from the entire organization," Wabbington told Rivals. "I have an amazing relationship with every coach on the coaching staff. I talk to all of them pretty consistently.”

Indiana is known for having one of the Big Ten's most competitive roster budgets and is an Adidas-sponsored program, as is Wabbington's club team last summer, the Compton Magic.