NBA Finals: A timeline of former Arizona Wildcats playing for a ring
Every former Wildcat who has made the NBA Finals since 1995.
Cats in the finals
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Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala celebrates a score against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 16, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. Golden State won 116-101. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State Warriors. NBA Finals, part four.
The stage is set for another seven-game series that features a few Wildcats, except this time it's only for the Golden State Warriors in head coach Steve Kerr, forward Andre Iguodala and assistant coach Bruce Fraser.
Unfortunately, no one from the Cavaliers will represent the Wildcats this year.
Since 1995, the Wildcats have been well represented in the NBA Finals whether it's players or coaches. Some had key roles, while others watched from the bench and chased a ring. Here's all of the former UA players that have played in the NBA Finals.
Jud Buechler
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The SuperSonics drafted Jud Buechler, left, in 1990. Buechler played with the Bulls from 1994-1998.
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 1996 — Buechler's Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in six games.
1995-96 stats: Buechler averaged 3.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.
Steve Kerr
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Steve Kerr made a career for himself alongside Michael Jordan in Chicago. But the Phoenix Suns first drafted him 50th overall in the 1988 draft.
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 1996 — Kerr's Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in six games.
1995-96 stats: Kerr averaged 8.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Jud Buechler
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The Chicago Bulls' Scottie Pippen and Judd Buechler mob Michael Jordan, center, after Jordan sunk the final shot to beat the Utah Jazz 84-82 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Sunday, June 1, 1997, in Chicago. Also celebrating are Steve Kerr (25) and Dennis Rodman, right. (AP Photo/Chicago Sun-Times, Jon Sall)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 1997 — Buechler's Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in six games.
1996-97 stats: Buechler averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
Steve Kerr
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The Chicago Bulls' Steve Kerr launches the winning shot in the Bulls' 90-86 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 6 to win the NBA championship Friday, June 13, 1997, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Chicago Sun-Times, Tom Cruze)
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 1997 — Kerr's Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in six games.
1996-97 stats: Kerr averaged 8.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Bison Dele
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Brian Williams, later known as Bison Dele, was a top-10 pick to the Magic in 1991.
Position: Center
Made the Finals in: 1997 — Dele's Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in six games.
1996-97 stats: Dele, who played at Arizona as Brian Williams, averaged 7.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Jud Buechler
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Los Angeles Lakers' Eddie Jones (6) goes up for a basket as Chicago Bulls' Jud Buechler (30) and Toni Kukoc (7) defend during their game Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gerard Burkhart)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 1998 — Buechler's Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in six games.
1997-98 stats: Buechler averaged 2.7 points and one rebound per game.
Steve Kerr
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Chicago's Steve Kerr celebrates after the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz 90-86 in Game 6 to win the NBA championship on Friday, June 13, 1997, in Chicago. Kerr hit a shot with five seconds left that put the Bulls ahead for good in the game.
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 1998 — Kerr's Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in six games.
1997-98 stats: Kerr averaged 7.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Steve Kerr
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Chicago Bulls' Randy Brown (1) defends his teammate from last year, Steve Kerr (4) of the San Antonio Spurs, during the first quarter Sunday, Feb. 14, 1999, at the United Center. Kerr, who helped lead the Bulls to their sixth NBA title in 1998, was presented his championship ring in a pre-game ceremony. (AP Photo/Michael S. Green)
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 1999 — Kerr's Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in five games.
1998-99 stats: Kerr averaged 4.4 points and 1.1 assists per game.
Sean Elliott
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NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs', from left, Tim Duncan, Antonio Daniels, Gerard King, Sean Elliott, and Avery Johnson celebrate after defeating the New York Knicks 78-77 in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA Finals Friday, June 25, 1999, at New York's Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 1999 — Elliott's Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in five games.
1998-99 stats: Elliott averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Ben Davis
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Phoenix Suns' Ben Davis (43) takes a shot during the FHP Shootout game at McKale Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1996 against the Lakers. Davis would later go on to play for the New York Knicks.
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 1999 — Davis' Knicks lost to the Spurs in five games.
1998-99 stats: Davis averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
Richard Jefferson
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New Jersey Nets' Richard Jefferson, right, puts up a shot over Milwaukee Bucks' Darvin Ham during the first quarter Thursday night, Jan. 31, 2002, in East Rutherford, N.J. Jefferson scored 21 points as the Nets beat the Bucks 125-100. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2002 — Jefferson's Nets lost to the Lakers in four games.
2001-02 stats: Jefferson averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Steve Kerr
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San Antonio Spurs players Steve Kerr, right, Danny Ferry (35), Kevin Willis, rear, and trainer Will Sevening celebrate their 88-77 win over the New Jersey Nets for the NBA Championship, Sunday, June 15, 2003. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 2003 — Kerr's Spurs defeated the New Jersey Nets in six games.
2002-03 stats: Kerr averaged 4.0 points per game.
Richard Jefferson
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New Jersey Nets' Richard Jefferson dunks over San Antonio Spurs' Kevin Willis (42) in the second half during Game 4 of the NBA Finals Wednesday, June 11, 2003 in East Rutherford, NJ. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2003 — Jefferson's Nets lost to the Spurs in six games.
2002-03 stats: Jefferson averaged 15.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Luke Walton
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Los Angeles Lakers' Luke Walton, right, and teammate Shaquille O'Neal celebrate during their 99-91 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons during Game 2 of the 2004 NBA Finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, June 8, 2004. Walton scored seven points and had eight assists while O'Neal scored 29 points in the Lakers win. REUTERS/Mike Blake
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2004 — Walton's Lakers lost to the Pistons in five games.
2003-04 stats: Walton averaged 2.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Jason Terry
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Dallas Mavericks' Jason Terry (31) cheers a play during the first half of their game against the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2006 NBA Finals on Thursday, June 8, 2006, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News/KRT)
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 2006 — Terry's Mavericks lost to the Heat in six games.
2005-06 stats: Terry averaged 17.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
Luke Walton
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton (4) goes up for a shot as Phoenix Suns center Amare Stoudemire (1) guards during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2008 — Walton's Lakers lost to the Celtics in six games.
2007-08 stats: Walton averaged 7.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Luke Walton
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton, left, puts up a shot as Orlando Magic guard Courtney Lee defends during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals, Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2009 — Walton's Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in five games.
2008-09 stats: Walton averaged 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Luke Walton
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From left, Los Angeles Lakers' Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum react to a turnover by the Boston Celtics late in the fourth quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the TD Bank North Garden on Wednesday, June 8, 2010. The Lakers defeated the Celtics, 91-84, to take a 2-1 series lead. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2010 — Walton's Lakers defeated the Celtics in seven games.
2009-10 stats: Walton averaged 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Jason Terry
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Dallas Mavericks' Jason Terry (31) and Jose Juan Barea celebrate during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat Thursday, June 9, 2011, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 2011 — Terry's Mavericks defeated the Heat in six games.
2010-11 stats: Terry averaged 15.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Mike Bibby
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The Miami Heat's Mike Bibby, left, steals the ball from the Dallas Mavericks' Jason Terry during the first half of Game 2 of the 2011 NBA Finals at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida, Thursday, June 2, 2011. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/MCT)
Position: Guard
Made the Finals in: 2011 — Bibby's Heat lost to the Mavericks in six games.
2010-11 stats: Bibby averaged 8.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Andre Iguodala
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Position: Guard/forward
Made the Finals in: 2015 — Iguodala and the Golden State Warriors took down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to win the NBA Finals. Iguodala was also named the NBA Finals MVP, making him the first former Wildcat to be named the Finals MVP.
2014-15 stats: Iguodala averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Steve Kerr
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr smiles during a news conference after the Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 105-97, in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals in Cleveland, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The Warriors won the best-of-seven game series 4-2. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Role: Golden State Warriors head coach
Made the Finals in: 2015 — Kerr's Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to win the NBA Finals, giving Kerr his sixth championship — five as a player and one as a coach.
Bret Brielmaier
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Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Bret Brielmaier. Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics.
Role: Assistant coach
Made the Finals in: 2015 — Brielmaier's Cavs fell to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Bruce Fraser
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, celebrates with player development coach Bruce Fraser after beating the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball Western Conference playoff series Friday, May 15, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. The Warriors won 108-95 to win the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Role: Assistant coach for player development
Made the Finals in: 2015 — Fraser's Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to win the NBA Finals.
Luke Walton
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, sits on the bench next to assistant coaches Luke Walton, center, and Ron Adams during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Role: Assistant coach
Made the Finals in: 2015 — Walton's Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to win the NBA Finals, giving Walton his third championship — two as a player and one as a coach.
Andre Iguodala
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Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala fields questions after an NBA basketball practice Wednesday, June 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA finals on Thursday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Position: Guard/forward
Made the Finals in: 2016 — Iguodala would've had the go-ahead layup in the final minute of Game 7, but LeBron James had other plans and blocked it. Kyrie Irving sunk a 3-pointer on the following possession, and the King fulfilled his promise and brought home a championship to Cleveland. Warriors blew a 3-1 series lead.
2015-16 stats: Iguodala averaged 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Steve Kerr
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Role: Head coach
Made the Finals in: 2016 — Kerr was used to winning in the NBA Finals. As a player and coach, Kerr never lost in the finals, but there's a first for everything. And it happened in 2016.
Bruce Fraser
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Role: Assistant coach
Made the Finals in: 2016 -- Fraser watched the 73-9 Warriors blow a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cavs.
Richard Jefferson
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Richard Jefferson raises his arms in celebration after arriving in Cleveland, Monday, June 20, 2016, after the Cavaliers defeated Golden State in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2016 — Jefferson was a new acquisition for the Cavs and added playoff experience to a team that dethroned the Warriors. The 35-year-old won his first NBA championship in his third attempt.
2015-16 stats: Jefferson averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists per game.
Channing Frye
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The Cleveland Cavaliers' Channing Frye (9) and the Golden State Warriors' Leandro Barbosa battle for a second-quarter rebound during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. (Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal/TNS)
Position: Forward/center
Made the Finals in: 2016 — Frye was a mid-season acquisition and fit exactly what the Cavs were looking for to beat Golden State. A big man that could play either power forward or center and can shoot. Frye shot 56.5 percent from 3-point range during Cleveland's title run.
2015-16 stats: Frye averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1 assist per game.
Bret Brielmaier
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Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Bret Brielmaier. Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics.
Role: Assistant coach
Made the Finals in: 2016 — Brielmaier became another member of the Olson coaching tree to win a NBA title. After the season, Brielmaier departed to Brooklyn to join Kenny Atkinson's staff with the Nets.
Steve Kerr
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Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr celebrates with fans during the championship parade Thursday in Oakland, California.
Role: Head coach
Made the Finals in: 2017 — Kerr won his second title as a head coach, which now makes him a seven-time NBA champion if his player rings are included.
Andre Iguodala
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Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) dunks on Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second half of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals in Cleveland, Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Golden State won 118-113. (Ronald Martinez/Pool Photo via AP)
Position: Guard/forward
Made the Finals in: 2017 — Iguodala and the Warriors avenged their finals collapse from a year ago and took care of the Cavaliers in five games. The new guy, Kevin Durant, won Finals MVP.
2016-17 stats: Iguodala averaged 7.4 points, 4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Bruce Fraser
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Role: Assistant coach for player development
Made the Finals in: 2017 — Add another ring to Fraser's collection. That's two rings for the former Wildcat.
Richard Jefferson
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson (24) dunks against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals in Cleveland, Friday, June 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Position: Forward
Made the Finals in: 2017 — Jefferson played six less minutes in the 2017 finals than he did in 2016. Cavs fall to the Warriors in five games.
2016-17 stats: Jefferson averaged 5.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Channing Frye
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Cleveland Cavaliers' Channing Frye poses for a portrait during the NBA basketball team media day, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Independence, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Position: Forward/center
Made the Finals in: 2017 — Frye's added depth for the Cavs' frontcourt was not enough as the Warriors hold off Cleveland for their second title in three years.
2016-17 stats: Frye averaged 5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists per game.
Derrick Williams
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Derrick Williams (3) is fouled going up for a bucket against the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 NBA Finals.
Position: Forward/wing
Made the Finals in: 2017 — The newest former Wildcat to join the Cavaliers scarcely played in the NBA Finals, but contributed 2.6 points per game during playoffs.
2016-17 stats: Williams averaged 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists per game.
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