Arizona Wildcats in the NBA: Iggy captures a third ring, Lauri Markkanen shines in rookie season

Jun 9, 2018
Jun 9, 2018 Updated Jan 7, 2019

The NBA playoffs came to a close after the Golden State Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their third title in four years.

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

Year of the Wildcats ... again

NBA Finals Basketball — Andre Iguodala is expected to retire, meaning he will be the last Lute Olson-coached Wildcat to play in the NBA, a streak that started 38 years ago.
associated press

Another year, another season that resulted in a Wildcat hoisting up the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning the NBA Finals.

The Golden State Warriors captured their third title in four seasons, and head coach, UA alum Steve Kerr won his eighth NBA championship. Kerr won five titles as a player and now three as a coach. Assistant coach Bruce Fraser and Warriors forward Andre Iguodala now have three rings or as Iguodala tweeted, "tree rings."

Between the Warriors and a batch of young Wildcats still trying to make a name for themselves in the association, it was an eventful year for former UA players.

See how each former Wildcat performed this season with their per game averages.

Kadeem Allen, Boston Celtics

76ers Celtics Basketball — Kadeem Allen has shuttled between the Boston Celtics and the G League’s Maine Red Claws as a designated two-way player.
Winslow Townson / The associated Press

Games: 18

Minutes: 5.9

Points: 1.1

Field goal (%): 27.3

3-point (%): 0

Assists: 0.7

Rebounds: 0.6

Video:

Don't hurt 'em Kadeem Allen 🙈 pic.twitter.com/apawydI717
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 11, 2018

Jerryd Bayless, Philadelphia 76ers

Hawks 76ers Basketball Jerryd Bayless — Michael Perez/AP Photo

Games: 39

Minutes: 23.7

Points: 7.9

Field goal (%): 41.6

3-point (%): 37

Assists: 1.4

Rebounds: 2.1

Video:

Jerryd Bayless sits on fan's lap #nbaww pic.twitter.com/1SmIelhTYt
— Kobe-Wan KeNoPass (@Kobes_Lakers) March 17, 2018

Channing Frye, Los Angeles Lakers

Heat Cavaliers Basketball Channing Frye — Tony Dejak/AP Photo

Games: 53

Minutes: 13.1

Points: 5

Field goal (%): 49.1

3-point (%): 33.9

Assists: 0.7

Rebounds: 2.5

Video:

Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

Magic Lakers Basketball — Orlando Magic guard Aaron Gordon dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Reed Saxon

Games: 58

Minutes: 32.9

Points: 17.6

Field goal (%): 43.4

3-point (%): 33.6

Assists: 2.3

Rebounds: 7.9

Video:

Check out Aaron Gordon’s (@Double0AG) full 40 point highlight reel! pic.twitter.com/1c0V2rAlYR
— Be Magic Or Be Gone! (@BeORLMagic) November 30, 2017

Solomon Hill, New Orleans Pelicans

Celtics Pelicans Basketball — New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) battles for position against Boston Celtics forward Marcus Morris in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, March 18, 2018. The Pelicans won 108-89. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Gerald Herbert

Games: 21

Minutes: 15.6

Points: 2.4

Field goal (%): 26.8

3-point (%): 19

Assists: 1.8

Rebounds: 3

Video:

Solomon Hill puts Jeff Green on skates pic.twitter.com/meoWzGktGG
— The Render (@TheRenderNBA) March 31, 2018

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets

Warriors Nets Basketball Rondae Hollis-Jefferson — Mary Altaffer/AP Photo

Games: 68

Minutes: 28.3

Points: 13.9

Field goal (%): 47.2

3-point (%): 24.1

Assists: 2.5

Rebounds: 6.8

Video:

Rondae Hollis Jefferson 😳 (via @BrooklynNets) pic.twitter.com/CkonVYAyDu
— Hoop Smart (@smart_hoop) January 7, 2018

Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors

Thunder Warriors Basketball — Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala, center, grabs a rebound next to Oklahoma City Thunder's Paul George, left, and Patrick Patterson (54) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Marcio Jose Sanchez

Games: 79

Minutes: 25.4

Points: 6

Field goal (%): 46.3

3-point (%): 28.2

Assists: 3.3

Rebounds: 3.8

Video:

Richard Jefferson, Denver Nuggets

Suns Nuggets Basketball — Denver Nuggets forward Richard Jefferson (22) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in Denver. Phoenix won 108-100.
David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Games: 20

Minutes: 8.2

Points: 1.5

Field goal (%): 44.4

3-point (%): 28.6

Assists: 0.8

Rebounds: 0.9

Video:

LeBron James and Richard Jefferson chop it up postgame pic.twitter.com/8XM0LcbBqd
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 4, 2018

Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons

Pistons Hawks Basketball — Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (7) reacts after a called foul in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
Todd Kirkland

Games: 69

Minutes: 27.4

Points: 8.7

Field goal (%): 37.5

3-point (%): 28.6

Assists: 1.6

Rebounds: 3.7

Video:

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls

Bulls Celtics Basketball — Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (24) drives in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, April 6, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Elise Amendola

Games: 68

Minutes: 29.7

Points: 15.2

Field goal (%): 43.4

3-point (%): 36.2

Assists: 1.2

Rebounds: 7.5

Video:

T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers

Hornets 76ers Basketball — Philadelphia 76ers' T.J. McConnell in action during an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Monday, March 19, 2018, in Philadelphia.
Matt Slocum/AP Photo

Games: 86

Minutes: 22.4

Points: 6.3

Field goal (%): 49.9

3-point (%): 43.5

Assists: 4

Rebounds: 3

Video:

Kobi Simmons, Memphis Grizzlies

Bulls Grizzlies Basketball — Memphis Grizzlies guard Kobi Simmons plays against the Chicago Bulls in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Mark Humphrey

Games: 32

Minutes: 20.1

Points: 6.1

Field goal (%): 42.3

3-point (%): 28.2

Assists: 2.1

Rebounds: 1.6

Video:

#2WayPlayer @JordanKobi dropped a career-high 20 points this afternoon in a @memgrizz W! pic.twitter.com/swQwPpuuS4
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) April 8, 2018