Arizona adds 2 transfer guards from the portal

Arizona basketball targeted the replacement for Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley after the Final Four

The Wildcats eventually lost out on landing Jackson Shelstad of Oregon

But Tommy Lloyd and company made up for it in a huge way Monday: Landing two guards via the College Basketball Transfer portal

ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello revealed who is heading to Tucson

Including one who turns down an opportunity to play for a past NBA head coach

“North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon has committed to Arizona, sources told ESPN

Second commitment of the day for Lloyd and the Wildcats, after JJ Mandaquit picked them a couple hours ago,” Borzello posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter

Dixon started in 16 games as a UNC freshman

5 points per game for Hubert Davis’ final Tar Heels team

North Carolina since has pivoted to former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone

Mandaquit comes over via a former conference rival of Arizona in Washington

He also leaves his post following his freshman campaign

The native of Hilo, Hawaii, however, averaged only 5

Dixon, meanwhile, flashed his potential while playing opposite of fellow prized freshman Caleb Wilson

The 6-foot-5 guard produced seven games of surpassing the double-digit mark

He even dropped 17 points on Duke during the Tar Heels’ 76-61 loss on March 7

Dixon scored 11 points against VCU during March Madness in what became his final UNC game ever

Now he and Mandaquit rise as pivotal fill-ins for one of Arizona’s biggest strengths of this past season

Burries and Bradley handled the scoring and sharpshooting duties out of the backcourt

Lloyd and AZ restrengthen the spot after the Michigan loss with two young transfers