Top Wildcat recruit Brandon Jennings impresses in McKale Center debut

After Arizona’s 74-58 dismantling of San Diego State, Wildcat fans caught a glimpse of the future.

Brandon Jennings, the No. 1-rated prospect on ESPN.com’s recruiting list, made his first McKale Center appearance yesterday and thrilled fans with his blinding quickness and flashy style.

Jennings, who signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Arizona on Nov. 14, won the game’s Most Valuable Player award, scoring 49 points and leading Oak Hill Academy to a 102-91 victory over Dudley High School at the GOAZCATS.com showdown yesterday.

Jennings also added four assists in five steals in a remarkable showcase performance.

"I came here to put on a show," Jennings said.

The 49 points represents a new scoring record for Jennings, who transferred to Oak Hill after two years at Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif.

He showed remarkable poise and confidence for an 18-year-old guard, driving to the basket almost at will and finding the bottom of the net from well beyond the three-point line.

"He's the top point guard to come out of the west coast since Jason Kidd and Baron Davis," said Aran Smith, president of NBADraft.net. "Jennings has it all—vision, toughness, athleticism, scoring ability and he's a superstar athlete who can bring down th house."

This season, Jennings is averaging more than 38 points, 11 assists and seven steals per game for the No. 17-ranked high school in the nation.

Oak Hill has spent most of the year at No. 1 before two tough road losses dropped them in the rankings.

Despite handling the ball on nearly every possession, Jennings committed only two turnovers.

"Brandon has really matured as a player," said Oak Hill head coach Steve Smith. "He was the distributor on a team that went 40-1 last year, and now he has developed into our go-to scorer."

Prior to his 49-points-in-32-minutes outburst, Jennings sat in the stands and enjoyed the Wildcats’ win over the Aztecs.

"That was the first time I watched a game at McKale Center," Jennings said. "There were a lot of people there and the energy was fantastic. I can’t wait to start playing there."

Jennings said he hopes Jerryd Bayless and fellow San Diego native Chase Budinger decide to stick around Tucson and welcome him to campus.

Both Bayless and Budinger are rumored to be potential lottery picks in next spring’s NBA draft.

"I’m really close with Jerryd and Chase," Jennings said. "The three of us together? We could bring the national championship back to Tucson, where it belongs."

Jennings originally committed to USC, but Lute Olson and Kevin O’Neill convinced him to attend "Point Guard U."

Many scouts compare Jennings to a young Kenny Anderson or a left-handed Allen Iverson.

"I feel like Arizona has the best tradition of point guards in the nation," Jennings said. "I just want to add my name to that list."

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