Arizona Wildcats guard Rawle Alkins (1) keeps the ball away from contact as he bullies his way through traffic during the first half of the No. 18 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Stanford University Cardinal men's college basketball game on Jan. 1, 2017, at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, Calif. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Rawle says his Arizona experience has been "amazing" so far, but there are times when he's less enthusiastic.

"The thing I don't like about Tucson is it will rain for, like, 10 seconds and then it will get sunny again," Rawle said. It's "bipolar." 

Not much he can do about that. Tucson does, after all, boast about 350 days of sunshine every year.

Rawle set out in January to overcome another issue here he can control. Since he can't exactly take subways to get around in Tucson — and was getting tired of paying for Uber rides — Rawle decided to study for his driver's license. He said he has often practiced late at night while driving with a cousin who came out to Tucson with him this year.

"Haven't done the highway yet, so I don't know what to expect on the test," Rawle said just before he and his cousin planned to leave for the DMV. "I know the rules and stuff. I did the written part. Practiced. So hopefully I do well.

"Pray for me, guys." 

Rawle later got his license. 

— Bruce Pascoe


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