All but locked in his apartment for a week during a COVID-related isolation period this fall, Cal standout Matt Bradley said he rode his bike through the Berkeley Hills βaround nobodyβ in order to preserve his sanity.
Across the bay, Stanford players had been moving back inside after trying to run basketball drills on outdoor tennis courts in the late summer. βOur serve and volley game is on point,β Cardinal coach Jerod Haase said jokingly.
In Salt Lake City, forward Timmy Allen said the Utes are βbasically in quarantine 24/7β and, in Los Angeles, USC coach Andy Enfield still worries about whatβs under the bed as the Pac-12 basketball season approaches.
βI sit around sometimes late at night, and wake up in the middle of the night, thinking, βWell, what happens if one person gets it?ββ Enfield said. βDoes that mean weβre done as a program for 14 days?β
If Pac-12 football teams are any indication, maybe so. Thursday, UCLA was picked to win the league in the conferenceβs preseason media poll, but the order of finish might really be COVID-19 first, then the Bruins, ASU, Oregon, Stanford and Arizona.
Or, maybe the final standings will feature a strictly inverse relationship to positive tests and/or contact tracing: The more you have of those, the worse you do on the court.
βThereβs gonna be some advantages,β Cal coach Mark Fox said. βThere already are with people that were able to train all summer having an advantage over those of us who did not. You would also have an advantage (if you) already had a significant outbreak on your team.
βSo I think it will have a significant impact on how the race goes, how everybody plays. I just pray that we can all stay healthy.β
Foxβs words at Thursdayβs Pac-12 media day carried some extra weight because the Golden Bears might be sitting in the most health-restricted area within the leagueβs footprint.
They werenβt able to do anything during the summer other than lift weights and do limited drills under outdoor tents β and after holding just six regular indoor practices this fall, they were shut down for the next five days when a player tested positive.
Foxβs football counterpart, Justin Wilcox, hasnβt been able to offer a whole lot of encouragement, either. The Bears have yet to play a football game, with their game Saturday at ASU morphing into a Sunday game at UCLA after the ASU-Cal and UCLA-Utah games were canceled this week.
βAll offseason, he kept saying, βYouβre going to play a game before I do,ββ Fox said. βSo we made a lunch wager on it and I thought I was going to win until the last 10 days.β
Then again, if the Bears are able to play a basketball game anytime soon, they might not be ready thanks in part to their shutdown.
βIt wasnβt a lot of fun, to be honest,β Fox said. βNobody had the spring in college basketball, most teams had the fall, and we didnβt really have anything that was normal. The stoppage was a challenge.
βWeβre not playing particularly well because weβre just behind.β
And thatβs just the basketball aspect of it. Bradley said the mental part was also a challenge.
βThank God for technology,β Bradley said. βItβs not as good as physical interaction. I was able to go outside with nobody around and just kind of move around, get some fresh air. But overall I stayed in my room and connected with people over social media and I was riding my bike.β
Arizona hasnβt reported a significant COVID-related issue so far this fall, though several Wildcats described challenges in their daily routines during the teamβs annual media day last week, including having to get up at 6 a.m. in order to get a daily antigen test.
βGetting used to COVID (protocols) is a little adjustment but after a while, itβs just part of being a student athlete,β sophomore forward Jordan Brown said. Itβs βgetting up early, working out and just being careful on what you do. It just feels like youβre getting ready to be a pro, really.β
Allen, a product of Mesaβs Red Mountain High School, said the rise in coronavirus cases in Utah has the Utes even more vigilant about what they have to do, staying in small groups, wearing a facemask everywhere they go and generally keeping a low profile.
βWe canβt do much outside of basketball and schoolwork,β Allen said. βItβll be interesting to see who can continue to lock in on this throughout the country and continue to be safe.β
Already, as with Cal players, the Utes have seen the worst of what can happen by looking at the football field. The Utesβ football game at UCLA was canceled Friday, after they bowed out of their scheduled opener with Arizona last week.
Utah basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak said he felt badly for them, saying itβs βreally hardβ to keep all 80 to 100 players in a football program safe.
But even though Krystkowiak said heβs comfortable with the smaller numbers of players he has in basketball, of course, there are no guarantees.
βItβs really crazy how everything spreads so fast and you really canβt understand it but youβve just got to do everything you can to prevent it,β Allen said. βWe need all the guys on our team ready to go, and available.
βThe most valuable thing you can be for your team is to be available.β
From A(renas) to Z(eke), here's every Arizona Wildcat taken in the NBA Draft since 1988
1988
UpdatedPicking first:Β Los Angeles ClippersΒ
Their selection:Β Danny Manning, power forward, KansasΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Tom Tolbert (1st round, 34th overall, Charlotte Hornets)
- Steve KerrΒ (2nd round, 50th overall, Phoenix Suns)
Β
1989
UpdatedPicking first:Β Sacramento KingsΒ
Their selection:Β Pervis Ellison, forward/center, LouisvilleΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Sean ElliottΒ (1st round, 3rd overall, San Antonio Spurs)Β
- Anthony CookΒ (1st round, 24th overall, Phoenix Suns)
1990
UpdatedPicking first:Β New Jersey NetsΒ
Their selection:Β Derrick Coleman, forward/center, SyracuseΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jud BuechlerΒ (2nd round, 38th overall, Seattle SuperSonics)
1991
UpdatedPicking first:Β Charlotte HornetsΒ
Their selection:Β Larry Johnson, forward, UNLVΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Brian Williams (Bison Dele) (1st round, 10th overall, Orlando Magic)
1992
UpdatedPicking first:Β Orlando MagicΒ
Their selection:Β Shaquille O'Neal, center, LSUΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Sean RooksΒ (2nd round, 30th overall, Dallas Mavericks)
He said it:Β "By then I was disappointed. I was just happy to find I was going somewhere. I thought (being a first-round pick) was a given. I was told I was projected to go between 19-24. Today was not what I had anticipated." βΒ Rooks
1993
UpdatedPicking first:Β Orlando MagicΒ
Their selection:Β Chris Webber, center/forward, MichiganΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Chris MillsΒ (1st round, 22nd overall, Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Ed StokesΒ (2nd round, 35th overall, Miami Heat)
He said it:Β "I was back there wondering, 'Where am I going to go?' I guess I'll have to (work hard and) let those teams that passed on me know they made a mistake." β Mills
1994
UpdatedPicking first:Β Milwaukee BucksΒ
Their selection:Β Glenn Robinson, forward, PurdueΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Khalid Reeves (1st round, 12th overall, Miami Heat)
He said it:Β "I see myself playing both (guard) positions. I think I'm equally gifted playing both positions. I'm just glad to be on the court doing the things I love to do β creating shots for others and creating them for myself." β Reeves
1995
UpdatedPicking first:Β Golden State WarriorsΒ
Their selection:Β Joe Smith, forward/center, MarylandΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Damon Stoudamire (1st round, 7th overall, Toronto Raptors)
He said it:Β "I'm just happy to be with Toronto and Isiah Thomas. I want to make the most of it. The style they want to bring to the league β run and gun β fits me." β Stoudamire
Β
1996
UpdatedPicking first:Β Philadelphia 76ersΒ
Their selection:Β Allen Iverson, guard, GeorgetownΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Joseph BlairΒ (2nd round, 35th overall, Seattle SuperSonics)Β
- Ben DavisΒ (2nd round, 43rd overall, Phoenix Suns)Β
- Reggie Geary (2nd round, Cleveland Cavaliers)
He said it:Β "The only comment I have is that I'm disappointed with the NBA," said Geary, who had productive workouts with Detroit and the Los Angeles Lakers. "I'm disappointed with the system. It's too bad that I had to go through all of this. But at the same time, I'm thankful for the Cavaliers giving me the opportunity." β Geary
Β
1997
UpdatedPicking first:Β San Antonio SpursΒ
Their selection:Β Tim Duncan, forward/center, Wake Forest Β
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β NoneΒ
1998
UpdatedPicking first:Β Los Angeles ClippersΒ
Their selection:Β Michael Olowokandi, center, University of the PacificΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Mike BibbyΒ (1st round, 2nd overall, Vancouver Grizzlies)
- Michael Dickerson (1st round, 14th overall, Houston Rockets)Β
- Miles Simon (2nd round, 42nd overall, Orlando Magic)
He said it:Β "It was a great feeling, one I can't say I've ever had. The crowd made me feel like they wanted me. I'm going to try to get them happy and get the job done." βΒ Bibby
Β
1999
UpdatedPicking first:Β Chicago BullsΒ
Their selection:Β Elton Brand, forward/center, DukeΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jason TerryΒ (1st round, 10th overall, Atlanta Hawks)
- A.J. BramlettΒ (2nd round, 39th overall, Cleveland Cavaliers)
He said it:Β "You look at their roster and Anthony Johnson is the only other point guard they have. I'll come in, work hard, and hopefully, I'll get the job." β Terry
Β
2000
UpdatedPicking first:Β New Jersey NetsΒ
Their selection:Β Kenyon Martin, center/forward, CincinnatiΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2001
UpdatedPicking first:Β Washington WizardsΒ
Their selection:Β Kwame Brown, forward/center, Glynn Academy High SchoolΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Richard JeffersonΒ (1st round, 13th overall, Houston Rockets)
- Gilbert ArenasΒ (2nd round, 30th overall, Golden State Warriors)Β
- Michael WrightΒ (2nd round, 38th overall, New York Knicks)
- Loren WoodsΒ (2nd round, 45th overall, Minnesota Timberwolves)
He said it:Β "Iβve seen a million things happen on draft day, enough to know not to be sitting, waiting, and expecting the first team you go to to be the team you are playing for," β Jefferson, the only one of the four UA draft-eligible players to go in the first round.
Β
2002
UpdatedPicking first:Β Houston RocketsΒ
Their selection:Β Yao Ming, center, ChinaΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2003
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β LeBron James, forward, St. Vincent-St. Mary High SchoolΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Luke WaltonΒ (2nd round, 32nd overall, Los Angeles Lakers)
He said it:Β "I grew up when my dad was playing for the Celtics, and we used to root for the Celtics, but since I've gotten older, I've loved to watch the Lakers play. It's just an amazing feeling right now. It's hard to describe, but it's what I've been dreaming about since I was a kid." β Walton
Β
2004
UpdatedPicking first:Β Orlando MagicΒ
Their selection:Β Dwight Howard, center, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy High School
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Andre Iguodala (1st round, 9th overall, Philadelphia 76ers)
He said it:Β "Josh Childress and I were talking on the way over here, and we didn't know where we'd get picked. I thought I'd go a little higher, but I'm just happy and thankful I got picked." β Iguodala
Β
2005
UpdatedPicking first:Β Milwaukee BucksΒ
Their selection:Β Andrew Bogut, forward/center, UtahΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Channing FryeΒ (1st round, 8th overall, New York Knicks)
- Salim StoudamireΒ (2nd round, 31st overall, Atlanta Hawks)
He said it:Β "Where else better to start out than in New York. If you can play here, you can play anywhere. ... I know what it means to come to a tradition, being from Arizona. I have so much respect for Madison Square Garden. Every time I came here to play I would kiss the floor to honor my grandfather. He was a big Knicks fan." β Frye
Β
2006
UpdatedPicking first:Β Toronto RaptorsΒ
Their selection:Β Andrea Bargnani, forward/center, ItalyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Hassan Adams (2nd round, 54th overall, New Jersey Nets)
Β
2007
UpdatedPicking first:Β Portland Trail BlazersΒ
Their selection:Β Greg Oden, center, Ohio StateΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Marcus Williams (2nd round, 33rd overall, San Antonio Spurs)
He said it:Β Williams said he was "happy" with the pick, though he declined further comment.
Β
2008
UpdatedPicking first:Β Chicago BullsΒ
Their selection:Β Derrick Rose, guard, MemphisΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jerryd BaylessΒ (1st round, 11th overall, Indiana Pacers)
He said it:Β "I'm excited for the opportunity. Obviously, I wasn't waiting. I didn't know I was going to be left (undrafted) that long. But there's an opportunity there and I'm going to a good team that needs a couple of good parts to win. I'm really excited to be playing with Greg Oden, Brandon Roy and all those great players they already have there." β Bayless
Β
2009
UpdatedPicking first:Β Los Angeles ClippersΒ
Their selection:Β Blake Griffin, forward, OklahomaΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jordan HillΒ (1st round, 8th overall, New York Knicks)
- Chase BudingerΒ (2nd round, 44th overall, Detroit Pistons)
He said it:Β "It's definitely a good fit for me. It's an up-tempo game and I run the floor like no other. I just love to run the floor and try to get open for an easy dunk or whatever. So definitely, it's definitely a good fit." β Hill
Β
2010
UpdatedPicking first:Β Washington WizardsΒ
Their selection:Β John Wall, guard, KentuckyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2011
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β Kyrie Irving, guard, DukeΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Derrick WilliamsΒ (1st round, 2nd overall, Minnesota Timberwolves)
He said it:Β "I want to be there. I want to make that team better, that whole franchise. I want to get them from a losing record to a winning record. That's my job, and that's why they chose me. So we'll see what they do with it. But I want to stay." β Williams
Β
2012
UpdatedPicking first:Β New Orleans HornetsΒ
Their selection:Β Anthony Davis, forward/center, KentuckyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2013
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β Anthony Bennett, forward, UNLVΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Solomon HillΒ (1st round, 23rd overall, Indiana Pacers)
- Grant JerrettΒ (2nd round, 40th overall, Portland Trail Blazers)
He said it:Β "Definitely, that's a huge thing that goes on now β potential vs. being an older guy. But one thing is that I am an older guy who can contribute right away and try to develop. My goal is to be prepared for that opportunity and do it every year." β Hill
Β
2014
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β Andrew Wiggins, forward, KansasΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Aaron GordonΒ (1st round, 4th overall, Orlando Magic)
- Nick Johnson (2nd round, 42nd overall, Houston Rockets)
He said it:Β "It represents how wide I want the fans' eyes to be when they're watching us play," Gordon, on changing his jersey number from 11 to 00 in his transition to the NBA
Β
2015
UpdatedPicking first:Β Minnesota TimberwolvesΒ
Their selection:Β Karl-Anthony Towns, center, KentuckyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Stanley JohnsonΒ (1st round, 8th overall, Detroit Pistons)
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (1st round, 23rd overall, Portland Trail Blazers)
He said it:Β "In my opinion, everyone has a job. A lot of stuff in the media is to get a headline, get a story and attention. I said it before: I thought I was the best player in the draft. Nothing against Justise (Winslow) β he's one of my friends β that's just what my mentality is like. I think the Pistons made the best decision. The media has a job to do so they're going to gas it up. I know (Detroit) went with who they thought was the best." β Johnson
Β
2016
UpdatedPicking first:Β Philadelphia 76ersΒ
Their selection:Β Ben Simmons, forward, LSUΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2017
UpdatedPicking first:Β Philadelphia 76ersΒ
Their selection:Β Markelle Fultz, guard, WashingtonΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Lauri MarkkanenΒ (1st round, 7th overall, Minnesota Timberwolves. Draft rights traded to the Chicago Bulls)
- Kadeem AllenΒ (2nd round, 53rd overall, Boston Celtics)
He said it:Β "Iβm just happy to be here and just glad to be involved in it. Iβm just honored if some team, organization, includes me in trades. β¦Β Iβm really honored to be part of this organization, and canβt wait to go there and do what I can. Itβs just a blessing to be (a Bull). And of course with Michael Jordan, greatest player ever to play, itβs huge to be a part of it.β β Markkanen
Β
2018
UpdatedPicking first:Β Phoenix Suns
Their selection:Β Deandre Ayton, forward, Arizona
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Deandre AytonΒ (1st round, 1st overall, Phoenix Suns)
He said it:Β Β βDeandre is a special player and we are thrilled to welcome him home to Phoenix. It is extremely rare for a player with his size, length and athleticism to be able to not only finish around the rim but also step away from the basket and make shots. ... In addition, he has strong ties to this area and we canβt wait to see him in a Suns uniform.β β Suns GMΒ Ryan McDonoughΒ
2019
UpdatedPicking first: New Orleans Pelicans
Their selection: Zion Williamson, forward, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None
2020
UpdatedPicking first: Minnesota Timberwolves
Their selection: Anthony Edwards, forward, Georgia
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Josh Green (1st round, 18th overall, Dallas Mavericks)
- Zeke Nnaji (1st round, 22nd overall, Denver Nuggets)
- Nico Mannion (2nd round, 48th overall, Golden State Warriors)
He said it: "It's a star-struck moment. I think it's one of those moments, you don't know what emotion to really express. Being with my family, it's awesome. It's something I dreamed of during my whole entire life. For it to really happen is amazing. Obviously, it would have been cool to be in person, but this will never happen again." β Green
2021
UpdatedPicking first: Detroit Pistons
Their selection: Cade Cunningham, guard, Oklahoma State
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None
2022
UpdatedPicking first: Orlando Magic
Their selection: Paolo Banchero, guard, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
β’ Bennedict Mathurin (1st round, 6th overall, Indiana Pacers)
β’ Dalen Terry (1st round, 18th overall, Chicago Bulls)
β’ Christian Koloko (2nd round, 33rd overall, Toronto Raptors)