It was the second-to-last game of the regular season when the Wildcats routinely handled an on-the-rise California team, just one season away from the arrival of Jason Kidd.
That night, Arizona won 100-77, and it was never really close.
Sean Rooks led the Wildcats with 16 points in his second-to-last game at McKale Center. His Senior Night came a couple nights later, in a win against Stanford.
Cal center Kameron Rooks entered Saturday’s game to some McKale Center cheers. He had come full circle, 25 years later.
Arizona fans never cheer the opposition, but this was different.
Sean Rooks died over the summer, at 46, of heart disease. He holds a special place in the hearts of Arizona fans. He was Arizona’s original low-post star, perhaps the best low-post scorer in school history. He was a part of two Sweet 16 teams, and had a long, fruitful career in the NBA.
All season, Arizona has honored forward Ray Smith, forced to retire due to injury, by giving him the “This is Arizona” slot on the UA’s pregame introduction video.
Saturday, Arizona honored Sean Rooks by giving him the video-ending utterance.
Kameron Rooks finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
