Recruits, transfers and new coaches give Sean Miller's Wildcats a new look
- Updated
Safe to say the Wildcats will look much different on the court and on the sideline next season.Β
By Justin Spears Arizona Daily Star
First look: Arizona's 2018-19 roster
UpdatedUA is bringing in three players from the 2018 recruiting class, two graduate transfers that will be eligible to play immediately and another transfer from Cornell.
Here's what the Wildcats' rotation might look like when they take the court in October.
Head coach
UpdatedWas: Sean Miller
Is nowΒ ...Β Sean Miller.Β
Lead assistant coach
UpdatedWas: Lorenzo Romar. The former Washington boss spent a year at Arizona before taking the head coaching job at Pepperdine.
Is now β¦ Mark Phelps. Phelps moves over one chair and gets a raise, to $275,000 annually.Β
Assistant coach
UpdatedWas: Mark Phelps
Is now ... Justin Gainey. Gainey played under Miller at N.C. State from 1996-1999 and the two are familiar with each other. Gainey signed a two-year contract worth $290,000 annually.Β
Assistant coach
UpdatedWas: Book Richardson
Is now ... Danny Peters. Richardson was fired prior to the start of the season in September after he was involved in the pay-for-play scandal in college basketball, as investigated by the FBI. Assistant director of basketball operations Austin Carroll temporarily filled Richardson's role. Peters signed a two-year contract worth $275,000 annually.Β
Peters formerly was on UA's staff as the assistant director of basketball operations, but departed in 2014 to join James Whitford at Ball State.Β
Point guard
UpdatedWas:Β Parker Jackson-Cartwright
Is now β¦ Β Brandon Williams. The four-star point guard recommitted to the Wildcats and provides some depth and size to the position.Β
2018-19 reserves: Justin Coleman, Alex Barcello
Shooting guard
UpdatedWas: Allonzo Trier
Is now ... Dylan Smith. Entering his junior season, Smith flashed potential as a future starter especially when Rawle Alkins missed three games during Pac-12 play. Don't be surprised if Brandon Randolph drastically improves between his freshman and sophomore year and leaps Smith for the starting spot.
2018-19 reserves:Β Brandon Randolph, Devonaire Doutrive
Small forward
UpdatedWas: Rawle Alkins
Is now β¦Β Emmanuel Akot. Technically, Akot was supposed to be a part of the 2018 recruiting class, but reclassified. In hind sight, that could've been a genius move on Akot's part because now he's a seasoned wing player with a year of college ball under his belt.Β
2018-19 reserves:Β Omar Thielemans
Power forward
UpdatedWas:Β Deandre Ayton
Is now β¦Β Ryan Luther. The Pittsburgh graduate transfer adds experience to Arizona's youth. However, Luther suffered a foot injury in January that cut his season short, and Ira Lee could very well see a lion's share of minutes.
2018-19 reserves:Β Ira Lee, Stone Gettings
Center
UpdatedWas: Dusan Ristic
Is now β¦Β Chase Jeter. The Duke transfer would play power forward for any other team in college basketball, but the Wildcats don't have a single center on board so expect Jeter to play heavy minutes as the anchor in the middle.
2018-19 reserves:Β Ira Lee, Ryan Luther
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GCU, San Diego State, Utah State and Gonzaga were among the West arenas rated higher.
UA athletic department issues statement saying it is "reviewing the incident for team consequences."Β
More information
- The Wildcast, Episode 106: Suns consider options with No. 1 pick; is Deandre Ayton their man?
- Seen and heard at the NBA combine: Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins better in head-to-head matchup
- Seen and heard at the NBA combine: On Wildcats' struggles and 'phenomenal' Deandre Ayton
- Arizona Wildcats' roster takes shape with Brandon Williams now on board
- Pac-12 rankings: Utes land Chandler guard, conference takes shape as recruits dwindle
- Familiarity likely led Sean Miller to hire Justin Gainey away from Santa Clara
- Spate of high-profile hirings thrills Arizona coach Adia Barnes
- Arizona basketball: Suns 'don't know yet' if they'll pick Deandre Ayton
- Greg Hansen: On Arizona's title-winning relay, baseball attendance, and James Harden
- Photos: Best images from Arizona Wildcats' 2018 season at Hi Corbett Field
- Watch: 8 best things Jay Johnson, Nick Quintana said after Arizona Wildcats' walk-off win over ASU
- Former Arizona Wildcat Lauri Markkanen named to NBA All-Rookie Team
- Sean Miller built Arizonaβs smaller, sleeker roster with another group of Wildcats in mind
- Five-star Phoenix guard Nico Mannion commits to Arizona Wildcats
- Five-star point guard Nico Mannion picks Arizona Wildcats over Marquette
- College basketball annuals split on how Arizona Wildcats will do this season
- Wildcats' Pac-12 schedule includes mostly early starts, traditional days
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