Dusan Ristic, a 7-foot, 240-pound center originally from Novi Sad, Serbia, committed to Arizona as expected on Saturday.
Ristic, out of Sunrise Christian (KS), visited Arizona this past weekend and head coach Kyle Lindsted previously told SNY.tv, ”He’s Arizona’s to lose.”
Ristic is the fifth 2014 commit for head coach Sean Miller, joining point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, JUCO shooting guard Kadeem Allen, small forward Stanley Johnson and power forward Craig Victor.
Lindsted said Ristic came to the U.S. from Serbia to play with countryman Vasilije Pusica, a 6-4 combo guard from Belgrade, who is Ristic’s close friend.
Ristic played with Red Star Belgrade’s youth team and is projected as the No. 26 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by Draft Express.com.
“He’s a legit 7-footer with a great frame and really long arms,” Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com told SNY.tv.
“He’s as skilled a big man as you’ll find. He can score with either hand in the post, is an excellent passer, and can step outside and shoot from the perimeter as well. He’s consistently been considered one of the top prospects in the 1995 international class, which is one of the most talented we’ve seen in quite some time. He’s been really well-coached and should be able to contribute significantly from day one. He needs to continue to fill out his frame and improve his ability to deal with contact and physical play as he makes the jump to competing against higher level competition, but he’s a definite NBA prospect long-term.”
Lindsted concurred on his upside.
“He’s really good,” the coach said. “His upside is huge. He’s 7-foot, 240 and he’s skilled off the charts, just sickeningly skilled. He shoots shots over both shoulders really well, he passes it really well, he handles it well. He shoots it well. He’s gotta get stronger and faster.
“He’s an NBA prospect for sure.
