Want to feel, well, old? None of the players on this year's Arizona Wildcats Final Four team were born yet the last time the UA men went to a Final Four in 2001.
For those of us vintage enough to remember, though, here's a nostalgia trip about what was happening in Tucson the month — and basketball season — that each of the players in the regular 2025-26 rotation came into the world:
The Arizona Wildcats' game vs. Long Island University in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in San Diego on March 20, 2026.
Anthony Dell'Orso
Dell'Orso was born in July 2003 (in Melbourne, Australia). This was a month when gas shortages occurred and prices spiked in Tucson after a Kinder Morgan pipeline rupture.
Arizona's 2003-04 hoopsters were a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament, losing to No. 8 Seton Hall in the first round.
Jaden Bradley
Bradley was born in September 2003 (in Rochester, N.Y.). Tucson marked the second anniversary of 9/11 with multiple events that month.
The 2003-04 Wildcats (see above) were led by Andre Igoudala, Channing Frye, Hassan Adams and Mustafa Shakur.
Tobe Awaka
Awaka was born in January 2004 (in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.). Tucson's upscale La Encantada shopping center opened that month.
At the end of the 2003-04 season (see above), Igoudala was selected ninth overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Motiejus Krivas
Krivas was born in December 2004 (in Šiauliai, Lithuania). That month, a fire destroyed the set of the TV movie adaptation of Stephen King's "Desperation" at the Tucson Convention Center, injuring six; the presence of live rattlesnakes for the scene reportedly hampered firefighting efforts.
The 2004-05 Wildcats, with Channing Frye, Hassan Adams, Salim Stoudamire and Ivan Radenovic, made it to the Elite Eight as a No. 3 seed, coming just one point shy of qualifying for a Final Four when they lost in overtime, 90-89, to top-seeded Illinois.
Brayden Burries
Burries was born in September 2005 (in San Bernardino, California). The Dalai Lama delivered a public speech on compassion and inner peace at the Tucson Convention Center that month.
Arizona's 2005-06 team, led by Adams, Shakur and Chris Rodgers, lost to No. 1 seed Villanova as a No. 8 seed in the second round of the NCAA tourney.
Dwayne Aristode
Aristode was born in August 2006 (in Lelystad, Netherlands). Tucson celebrated its 231st birthday that month.
Arizona's 2006-07 team lost as a No. 8 seed in the first round to No. 9 seed Purdue.
Ivan Kharchenkov
Kharchenkov was born in September 2006 (in Russia). Alice in Chains played at the Rialto Theatre that month.
The Wildcats' 2006-07 team (see above) was led by Shakur and Marcus Williams.
Koa Peat
Peat was born in January 2007 (in Gilbert, Arizona). Tucson had a rare significant snowfall that month, with an average of 1.5 inches falling and accumulating across the city in a Jan. 21-22 storm.
The 2006-07 season (see above) was the final one coached by Hall of Famer Lute Olson.
Sidi Gueye
Gueye was born in October 2007 (in Senegal). Tucson-based First Magnus Financial collapsed that month during the national mortgage crisis.
The Wildcats' 2007-08 team, under interim head coach Kevin O'Neill and led by players Jerryd Bayless, Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, was a No. 10 seed in the NCAA tourney, losing in the first round to No. 7 seed West Virginia.
