Arizona Wildcats in the NBA: Iggy captures a third ring, Lauri Markkanen shines in rookie season
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
Updated
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.
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
Updated
Kadeem Allen has shuttled between the Boston Celtics and the G League’s Maine Red Claws as a designated two-way player.
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
Updated
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
Updated
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
Updated
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)
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
Updated
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)
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
Updated
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
Updated
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)
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
Updated
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.
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
Updated
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)
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
Updated
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)
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
Updated
Philadelphia 76ers' T.J. McConnell in action during an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Monday, March 19, 2018, in Philadelphia.
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
Updated
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)
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
Jason Terry, Milwaukee Bucks
Updated
Milwaukee Bucks guard Jason Terry (3) celebrates after a score by teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. The Bucks won 111-104. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Games: 54
Minutes: 16
Points: 3.3
Field goal (%): 38.3
3-point (%): 34.8
Assists: 1.2
Rebounds: 0.9
Video:
Did Jason Terry blow in Lance’s ear? 😂 pic.twitter.com/3iDmmCDpD6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2018
