Four 'other' Wildcats hoping for either NBA draft or summer league invitations

Three months after the Arizona Wildcats’ starting five walked off the court together for the last time in Boise, Idaho, life couldn’t be more different.

Deandre Ayton is living it up in New York City, hanging out with Knicks legend Walt Frazier, making public appearances and getting ready to make UA basketball history if, as expected, he becomes the first pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft.

Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier have been criss-crossing the country trying to secure second-round draft picks, with Alkins holding an outside hope at the first round. Center Dusan Ristic has been trying out for selected NBA teams knowing that there’s a lucrative ticket home to Europe tucked away in his back pocket.

Then there’s point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, working out at home in Los Angeles, tending to leg injuries and hoping to get fully cleared in time to possibly catch on with an NBA Summer League team.

Different places, all. But the same mindset.

“I have a goal to be in the NBA,” Jackson-Cartwright said this week. “I think all of our guys have good chances, especially Rawle, Zo and Deandre. All of us will have an opportunity whether we’re drafted or go to the summer league. We’ve set ourselves up to be in a good position.”

Of course, Ayton is in the best position, widely expected to be taken first overall by the Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, Alkins and Trier have the most compelling storylines, their potential uncertain but intriguing.

“Rawle and Allonzo both have great chances,” UA coach Sean Miller said late last month. “I believe Rawle and Allonzo in their own respective ways make their way toward success in the NBA. They do too many things well.”

Miller said it’s hard to judge the players by where they get picked in the draft, indicating Trier and Alkins both have games that should translate well to an NBA style after they spent last season playing for a team with two traditional big men and a lot of zone defense to face as a result.

“As the court opens up, in some ways the NBA game will be easier for them,” Miller said. “I also believe their best days are ahead of them.”

Ayton appears to already have started his best days. But, for now, this is how it looks for the other departed Arizona starters:

Age: 20

Pro game: Jack-of-all-trades wing player

Draft projections: No. 32 overall (The Ringer), No. 37 (Sports Illustrated), No. 42 (NBADraft.net), No. 44 (ESPN)

2017-18 stats: 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 35.9 percent 3-point shooting, 1.3 steals per game

What happened at Arizona: Alkins was limited his sophomore season — he was the team’s third offensive option behind Ayton and Trier and sat out 12 games because of a broken foot and related soreness.

What could happen in the pros: Alkins has risen slightly on the NBA draft boards because of his versatility, strength and defensive potential and is widely expected to be a second-round pick. He also opened up eyes by blocking five shots in an NBA combine game last month. “He’s powerful,” ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz said. “He can make a shot. He’s explosive in space. He’s a pretty competitive defender. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get drafted.”

Alkins has been calling himself a positionless player — the Draymond Green of guards — with a nose for defense, saying after a workout with the Suns that he is trying to prove he can guard the top players in the NBA. He also said Tuesday, following a second workout with Indiana, that he is “trying to show my defensive mentality and (that) offense comes naturally.”

He said it: “It’s difficult to judge Rawle because he missed so much time. Although he had a very good season he could have had a great season and some of that will show itself out this summer and spring when he’s healthy.” — Miller

Age: 22

Pro game: Laser-focused scorer with developing point guard skills

Draft projections: No longer in second-round projections

2017-18 stats: 18.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 38.0 3-point shooting, 86.5 percent free-throw shooting per game

What happened at Arizona: Trier never played a full season at Arizona. He missed a month of the Pac-12 season as a freshman, sat out 19 games as a sophomore because of a PED-related suspension and then, after testing positive for the same PED in January, sat out two more games as a junior until a subsequent negative test helped him win an appeal to reinstate his eligibility.

What could happen in the pros: Trier has fallen out of the mock drafts even though his efficiency rose as a junior. But Trier tested well athletically at the NBA combine; ESPN’s Schmitz said Trier’s explosiveness and scoring ability will earn him some looks from teams picking in the 50s.

He said it: “I think there’s a lot of guys in the G League like him, some guys in Europe like him. He just needs to continue to prove that he can make others better around him. There is value in scoring, no doubt about that. But becoming a more well-rounded player defensively, making his team better and being consistently coachable, that’s important for him, too.” — Schmitz

Age: 22

Pro game: 7-footer with considerable offensive skills around basket and potential to stretch

Draft projections: Not expected to be drafted, but likely to play on an NBA Summer League team

2017-18 stats: 12.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 56.9 percent field goals, 79.0 percent free throws per game

What happened at Arizona: A projected first-round pick (Draft Express) after arriving from Serbia as a high school senior, Ristic fell out of the mocks but improved his game every season with the Wildcats. Playing with and behind other 7-footers such as Kaleb Tarczewski, Lauri Markkanen and Ayton limited his role, however.

What could happen in the pros: Ristic’s still-developing defense and relative lack of speed will likely prevent him from being drafted, but he could find a home in an NBA system that can use his unique size and skills. If not, Ristic’s Serbian passport means he can command a lucrative contract in Europe as a non-import player. Or he can start in Europe and, if he’s able to continue growing, take a shot at the NBA later in his career.

He said it: “The basketball is changing so I’m trying to adjust my game as well. I’m trying to adjust to be a better player. I’m trying to see a bigger picture. I want to play basketball as long as I can. Obviously, my goal is to play in the NBA, but again there are some things I cannot control. If an NBA team wants to sign me, that would be perfect, but if it doesn’t happen, going to Europe is an option. That’s something that will always be there for me. I’m not stressing out on what’s going to happen this year or next year.” — Ristic

Age: 22

Pro game: Undersized but crafty point guard with good court vision and elusiveness

Draft projections: Not expected to be drafted

2017-18 stats: 7.8 points, 4.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4-1 assist-turnover ratio and 41.7-percent 3-point shooting per game

What happened at Arizona: Playing behind T.J. McConnell his first two seasons, PJC developed into a full-time starter and court leader for the Wildcats. He suffered a rash of minor injuries throughout his career but managed to play all 35 games last season.

What could happen in the pros: Because of lingering injury issues this spring, Jackson-Cartwright hasn’t been able to showcase himself on the predraft circuit. But he says he could be cleared in time to possibly get on with a summer league team and go from there. He could start his career in the G League or overseas, with true point guard skills that are coveted universally.

He said it: “I know I have interest overseas if that’s where I start, but really I just want to be a pro. I think there’s many opportunities and I’ll weigh them when the time comes. … I’m not discouraged or anything. I know everyone has their different paths and plans. I’ve just got to be patient.” — Jackson-Cartwright