T.J. McConnell’s presence in Philadelphia this season may create some Sixers fans in Southern Arizona this season, but there’s plenty of other NBA teams for Arizona Wildcats fans to adopt.
Like the Indiana Pacers, who have not one, but three former Wildcats: Jordan Hill, Solomon Hill and Chase Budinger. Or the Orlando Magic, which has two: Channing Frye and Aaron Gordon.
Then there’s the Cavaliers, with whom Richard Jefferson is chasing a ring in the twilight of his career, and the Rockets, where Jason Terry is a longtime veteran.
Finally, of course, there’s the Golden State Warriors: They not only have forward Andre Iguodala, but three former Wildcats on their coaching staff: Steve Kerr, Luke Walton and Bruce Fraser.
In all, Arizona has 13 representatives on NBA season-opening rosters. Here’s a breakdown of them:
Jerryd Bayless
Age: 27
Position: Guard
Years at UA: 2007-08
Team: Milwaukee
Salary: $3 million
His situation: Signed a two-year deal with Bucks as a free agent in July 2014, saying he wanted to play for new coach Jason Kidd.
Last season: 7.8 ppg, 3.0 apg in 77 games
He said it: “When you go into a new situation, it takes a while to understand what that coach is thinking, and learning the other players. This year I think we kind of know each other.”
— at the Bucks’ media day in September
Chase Budinger
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 2006-09
Team: Indiana
Salary: $5 million
His situation: After struggling with knee issues in Minnesota, Budinger was traded to Indiana for Damjan Rudez in July, with the chance to compete for a starting job.
Last season: 6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 36.4 3FG% in 67 games
He said it: “You have to (be persistent) to stay alive in this league. If you don’t, it goes by in a flash and, the next thing you know, you’re out of the league.” — to the Star-Tribune of Minneapolis in March
Channing Frye
Age: 32
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 2001-05
Team: Orlando
Salary: $8.19 million
His situation: Signed a four-year, $32 million contract in July 2014 as an unrestricted free agent. He described himself as a “lamp” who just shot three-pointers in former coach Jacque Vaughn’s offense last season but is more optimistic under coach Scott Skiles now.
Last season: 7.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 39.3 3FG% in 75 games
He said it: “A lot of people were like, ‘Well, Channing Frye is not going to fit in here because of his style.’ But I agree with 99 percent of everything that (Skiles) teaches. I feel like there is a lot of freedom and he wants you to be a great player.” — to the Magic’s website earlier this month
Aaron Gordon
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Year at UA: 2013-14
Team: Orlando
Salary: $4.17 million
His situation: Was picked fourth in the 2014 NBA draft, but has suffered multiple foot injuries and fractured his jaw in July.
Last season: 5.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg in 47 games.
He said it: “Any shots at all, I’m seeking shots now, and I’m looking (to score). If I’m open, I’m shooting it for sure.” — posted on Magic’s website earlier this month
Jordan Hill
Age: 28
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 2006-09
Team: Indiana
Salary: $4 million
His situation: Left the Lakers as a free agent to sign a one-year contract with the Pacers in July.
Last season: 12.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg with 57 starts in 70 games
He said it: “I’m from the country so being in Indiana, in a slow-paced city, will help me concentrate more on what I need to do and have the best year possible. … I feel have a lot more to give. I’m still learning.” — posted on
Pacers.com in July
Solomon Hill
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 2009-13
Team: Indiana
Salary: $1.36 million
His situation: Drafted No. 23 overall in 2013, Hill played sparingly as a rookie and was inconsistent in a much bigger role last season.
Last season: 8.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg with 78 starts in 82 games.
He said it: “Last year was like my rookie year. I’m basically going into my second year of playing.” — to the Indianapolis Star in July
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 2013-15
Team: Brooklyn
Salary: $1.34 million
His situation: Drafted No. 23 by the Portland Trail Blazers, Hollis-Jefferson was shipped to Brooklyn on draft night. Among his biggest preseason highlights was a video of him and his brother giving their mother a house.
Last season: 11.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg at Arizona
He said it: “I’m not the type of guy that’s going to get you 50 or 60, but I think I’m the type of guy that’s going to get you, say, 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, or something like that. I feel like I can get my teammates involved. I have to get better at decision-making, but that comes with practice.” — in a diary published by the New York Post earlier this month
Andre Iguodala
Age: 31
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 2002-04
Team: Golden State
Salary: $11.7 million
His situation: Acquired in a sign-and-trade deal via Utah in July 2013, Iguodala started 63 games in 2013-14 and came off the bench in 77 last season — then capped the season by becoming the MVP of the NBA Finals.
Last season: 7.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg in 77 games
He said it: “You go to a formula (coming off the bench) that works and you wanna stick with it. That’s the biggest thing. You’ve got to make the best of every situation. You’re playing basketball for a living and it’s a lot of fun.” — to the Star earlier this month
Richard Jefferson
Age: 35
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 1998-01
Team: Cleveland
Salary: $1.5 million
His situation: Signed for the veteran’s minimum for a chance to be perhaps the best backup LeBron James has had — and win an NBA championship ring.
Last season: 5.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg with 18 starts in 74 games
He said it: “I feel like there’s probably five to seven teams in this league that have a good shot at winning a championship, and this is one of them. As far as playing with LeBron, just the overall team, I’m excited.” — at Cavaliers media day earlier this month
Stanley Johnson
Age: 19
Position: Guard
Year at UA: 2014-15
Team: Detroit
Salary: $2.75 million
His situation: Taken No. 8 in the June NBA draft and battled for a starting job with the Pistons but came off the bench in the season opener.
Last season: 13.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg at Arizona
He said it: “ I was nervous to begin with. I’m not going to lie to you guys. My first shot went off the glass and didn’t hit the rim. The second one I’m not sure what happened. And then (coach Stan Van Gundy) said something to me along the lines of, ‘Come on, let’s go.’ … For me it was a good foundational learning block.” — after Tuesday’s season opener, when Johnson had seven points and four rebounds
T.J. McConnell
Age: 23
Position: Guard
Years at UA: 2013-15
Team: Philadelphia
Salary: $525,000
His situation: Signed a partially guaranteed contract after he wasn’t taken in the June NBA draft and made the 76ers at their backup point guard.
Last season: 10.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg at Arizona
He said it: “It’s just been hectic and crazy (since making the roster). I’m just enjoying it but also staying focused. … There are people who always believed in me, and my family, and my girlfriend have stuck by my side.” — to the Star on Wednesday
Jason Terry
Age: 38
Position: Guard
Years at UA: 1995-99
Team: Houston
Salary: $1.5 million
His situation: Signed a one-year deal to return to the Rockets after playing a significant reserve role last season.
Last season: 7.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 39.0 3F% in 77 games
He said it: “Losing in the Western Conference finals has fueled us to come back better. I had a great summer. Physically I feel great. Mentally I’m in good standing. Every season is a new journey and I’m excited to start my 17th year.” — at the Rockets’ media day in September
Derrick Williams
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 2009-11
Team: New York
Salary: $4.4 million
His situation: The No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Williams has struggled to stand out over stints with Minnesota and Sacramento but signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal with the Knicks in July.
Last season: 8.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg in 74 games with Sacramento
He said it: “I’m trying to be dynamic, man, and be all over the court. I take on the challenge of playing two, three spots and want to learn them and show how versatile I am.” — to the New York Post earlier this month
Bruce Pascoe
