NBA playoffs: These former Arizona Wildcats are vying for a championship
The Arizona menβs basketball team may not have achieved major postseason success in, oh, two decades. But a handful of former Wildcats will vie for an NBA championship, with the playoffs beginning on Saturday afternoon.
Hereβs a look at the Wildcats in the 2018 NBA playoffs.
By Jon Gold / Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
Updated
Seed: 2nd, Western Conference
First-round opponent: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 34
Position: Guard
Glory days: 2002-2004 at Arizona
Deepest Wildcat run: 2003 Elite Eight
Season in review: Now in his 14th season, Iguodala is still playing a meaningful role for the Warriors, even if his 25.4 minutes per game and 6.0 points are the fewest of his career. Iguodala, who has a string of recent DNPs, broke double-figures in scoring only 14 times this season.
Jason Terry, Milwaukee Bucks
Updated
Seed: 7th, Eastern Conference
First-round opponent: Boston Celtics
Age: 40
Position: Guard
Glory days: 1996-99 at Arizona
Deepest Wildcat run: 1997 NCAA Champions
Season in review: Nearing the tail end of what will go down as one of the greatest careers for an Arizona player, Terry was surprisingly effective in his 19th NBA season. Terry averaged 16.0 minutes and 3.3 points but, as evidenced in a late-season contest against the New York Knicks β when he hit three clutch 3-pointers β his outside game is still very important to the Bucks.
Jerryd Bayless, Philadelphia 76ers
Updated
Seed: Third, Eastern Conference
First-round opponent: Miami Heat
Age: 29
Position: Guard
Glory days: 2007-08 at Arizona
Deepest Wildcat run: 2008 NCAA First Round (vacated)
Season in review: Signed by the 76ers at $9 million/year before last season, Bayless has been a disappointment in Philadelphia, and heβs fallen completely out of the rotation with No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz back in the fold. Bayless has earned DNPs in 30 consecutive games after appearing in 39 contests with 11 starts. He played only three games last season with a wrist injury.
Solomon Hill, New Orleans Pelicans
Updated
Seed: Sixth, Western Conference
Age: 27
First-round opponent: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Forward
Glory days: 2010-2013 at Arizona
Deepest Wildcat run: 2011 Elite Eight
Season in review: Missed the first 69 games of the season recovering from a torn hamstring before returning in late-March. Hill played between 10 and 23 minutes in each of the teamβs last 11 games, with a season-high nine points in a 107-103 loss to Portland on March 27. A valued contributor to the Pelicans last season with 71 starts and seven points per game, Hill figures to be in the regular rotation throughout the playoffs.
T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers
Updated
Seed: Third, Eastern Conference
First-round opponent: Miami Heat
Age: 26
Position: Guard
Glory days: 2013-15 at Arizona
Deepest Wildcat run: 2015 Elite Eight
Season in review: A favorite of head coach Brett Brown, McConnell has nonetheless watched his minutes fall as Markelle Fultz has emerged late in the season for the 76ers. Still a steady and relied upon presence β and a defensive nuisance for opposing guards β McConnell averaged 6.3 points, 4.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 50 percent. He closed the year on a good note in a 130-95 win over Milwaukee, scoring 16, with seven assists, six rebounds and four steals.
