From A(renas) to Z(eke), here's every Arizona Wildcat taken in the NBA Draft since 1988
Take a look back at every Arizona Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft since 1988.
1988
Updated
Steve Kerr made a career for himself alongside Michael Jordan in Chicago. But the Phoenix Suns first drafted him 50th overall in the 1988 draft.
Picking first: Los Angeles Clippers
Their selection: Danny Manning, power forward, Kansas
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Tom Tolbert (1st round, 34th overall, Charlotte Hornets)
- Steve Kerr (2nd round, 50th overall, Phoenix Suns)
1989
Updated
San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, center, and teammates Sean Elliott, right, and Malik Rose celebrate in the locker room after winning the NBA championship in 1999.
Picking first: Sacramento Kings
Their selection: Pervis Ellison, forward/center, Louisville
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Sean Elliott (1st round, 3rd overall, San Antonio Spurs)
- Anthony Cook (1st round, 24th overall, Phoenix Suns)
1990
Updated
The SuperSonics drafted Jud Buechler, left, in 1990. Buechler played with the Bulls from 1994-1998.
Picking first: New Jersey Nets
Their selection: Derrick Coleman, forward/center, Syracuse
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Jud Buechler (2nd round, 38th overall, Seattle SuperSonics)
1991
Updated
Brian Williams, later known as Bison Dele, was a top-10 pick to the Magic in 1991.
Picking first: Charlotte Hornets
Their selection: Larry Johnson, forward, UNLV
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Brian Williams (Bison Dele) (1st round, 10th overall, Orlando Magic)
1992
Updated
Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal, right, holds up fellow center Sean Rooks. Rooks began his career in Dallas when he was the 30th selection in 1992.
Picking first: Orlando Magic
Their selection: Shaquille O'Neal, center, LSU
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Sean Rooks (2nd round, 30th overall, Dallas Mavericks)
He said it: "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." — Rooks
1993
Updated
New York Knicks forward Chris Mills (42) played his games at Madison Square Garden after going 22nd in the 1993 draft.
Picking first: Orlando Magic
Their selection: Chris Webber, center/forward, Michigan
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Chris Mills (1st round, 22nd overall, Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Ed Stokes (2nd round, 35th overall, Miami Heat)
He said it: "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." — Mills
1994
Updated
Charlotte Hornets' Khalid Reeves (3) went 12th overall in the 1994 draft.
Picking first: Milwaukee Bucks
Their selection: Glenn Robinson, forward, Purdue
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Khalid Reeves (1st round, 12th overall, Miami Heat)
He said it: "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 — creating shots for others and creating them for myself." — Reeves
1995
Updated
Damon Stoudamire was drafted No. 7 by Toronto in 1995, and won Rookie of the Year honors for the Raptors.
Picking first: Golden State Warriors
Their selection: Joe Smith, forward/center, Maryland
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Damon Stoudamire (1st round, 7th overall, Toronto Raptors)
He said it: "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 — run and gun — fits me." — Stoudamire
1996
Updated
Former Wildcat Reggie Geary, right, was the Spurs' second-round pick in 1996.
Picking first: Philadelphia 76ers
Their selection: Allen Iverson, guard, Georgetown
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Joseph Blair (2nd round, 35th overall, Seattle SuperSonics)
- Ben Davis (2nd round, 43rd overall, Phoenix Suns)
- Reggie Geary (2nd round, Cleveland Cavaliers)
He said it: "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." — Geary
1997
Updated
San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan jumpstarted his Hall of Fame career in the 1997 draft.
Picking first: San Antonio Spurs
Their selection: Tim Duncan, forward/center, Wake Forest
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
1998
Updated
Arizona's Mike Bibby was almost the top pick in 1998, when the Vancouver Grizzlies took him at No. 2.
Picking first: Los Angeles Clippers
Their selection: Michael Olowokandi, center, University of the Pacific
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Mike Bibby (1st round, 2nd overall, Vancouver Grizzlies)
- Michael Dickerson (1st round, 14th overall, Houston Rockets)
- Miles Simon (2nd round, 42nd overall, Orlando Magic)
He said it: "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." — Bibby
1999
Updated
Arizona's Jason Terry went to Atlanta tenth overall in the 1999 draft.
Picking first: Chicago Bulls
Their selection: Elton Brand, forward/center, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Jason Terry (1st round, 10th overall, Atlanta Hawks)
- A.J. Bramlett (2nd round, 39th overall, Cleveland Cavaliers)
He said it: "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." — Terry
2000
Updated
Kenyon Martin was the first off the board in 2000 to the Nets.
Picking first: New Jersey Nets
Their selection: Kenyon Martin, center/forward, Cincinnati
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
2001
Updated
Richard Jefferson at a press conference in Phoenix after he was drafted 13th overall by New Jersey in the 2001 NBA Draft.
Picking first: Washington Wizards
Their selection: Kwame Brown, forward/center, Glynn Academy High School
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Richard Jefferson (1st round, 13th overall, Houston Rockets)
- Gilbert Arenas (2nd round, 30th overall, Golden State Warriors)
- Michael Wright (2nd round, 38th overall, New York Knicks)
- Loren Woods (2nd round, 45th overall, Minnesota Timberwolves)
He said it: "I’ve 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," — Jefferson, the only one of the four UA draft-eligible players to go in the first round.
2002
Updated
Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich welcomes Yao Ming in 2002.
Picking first: Houston Rockets
Their selection: Yao Ming, center, China
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
2003
Updated
Los Angeles Lakers' draftees Brian Cook, right, and Luke Walton hold up their new jerseys after the draft in 2003.
Picking first: Cleveland Cavaliers
Their selection: LeBron James, forward, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Luke Walton (2nd round, 32nd overall, Los Angeles Lakers)
He said it: "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." — Walton
2004
Updated
Andre Iguodala began his career in Philadelphia after the Sixers took him ninth overall from the UA in 2004.
Picking first: Orlando Magic
Their selection: Dwight Howard, center, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy High School
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Andre Iguodala (1st round, 9th overall, Philadelphia 76ers)
He said it: "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." — Iguodala
2005
Updated
Channing Frye was the eighth overall selection in 2005 and began his career with the New York Knicks.
Picking first: Milwaukee Bucks
Their selection: Andrew Bogut, forward/center, Utah
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Channing Frye (1st round, 8th overall, New York Knicks)
- Salim Stoudamire (2nd round, 31st overall, Atlanta Hawks)
He said it: "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." — Frye
2006
Updated
Arizona's Hassan Adams sneaked in the 2006 draft at No. 54 overall.
Picking first: Toronto Raptors
Their selection: Andrea Bargnani, forward/center, Italy
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Hassan Adams (2nd round, 54th overall, New Jersey Nets)
2007
Updated
Marcus Williams was a second-round pick in 2007 to the San Antonio Spurs.
Picking first: Portland Trail Blazers
Their selection: Greg Oden, center, Ohio State
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Marcus Williams (2nd round, 33rd overall, San Antonio Spurs)
He said it: Williams said he was "happy" with the pick, though he declined further comment.
2008
Updated
Jerryd Bayless, right, who played for Arizona, is congratulated by commissioner David Stern after being selected 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2008.
Picking first: Chicago Bulls
Their selection: Derrick Rose, guard, Memphis
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Jerryd Bayless (1st round, 11th overall, Indiana Pacers)
He said it: "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." — Bayless
2009
Updated
The New York Knicks took Arizona's Jordan Hill at No. 8 in 2009.
Picking first: Los Angeles Clippers
Their selection: Blake Griffin, forward, Oklahoma
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Jordan Hill (1st round, 8th overall, New York Knicks)
- Chase Budinger (2nd round, 44th overall, Detroit Pistons)
He said it: "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." — Hill
2010
Updated
John Wall, of Kentucky, spears to reporters after going first overall in 2010.
Picking first: Washington Wizards
Their selection: John Wall, guard, Kentucky
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
2011
Updated
NBA Commissioner David Stern, left, poses with the No. 2 overall pick in 2011, Arizona's Derrick Williams.
Picking first: Cleveland Cavaliers
Their selection: Kyrie Irving, guard, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Derrick Williams (1st round, 2nd overall, Minnesota Timberwolves)
He said it: "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." — Williams
2012
Updated
Kentucky's Anthony Davis was the No. 1 selection in 2012, when no UA players were selected.
Picking first: New Orleans Hornets
Their selection: Anthony Davis, forward/center, Kentucky
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
2013
Updated
Solomon Hill made three 3-pointers in the first quarter of a conference semifinal game against the Warriors.
Picking first: Cleveland Cavaliers
Their selection: Anthony Bennett, forward, UNLV
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Solomon Hill (1st round, 23rd overall, Indiana Pacers)
- Grant Jerrett (2nd round, 40th overall, Portland Trail Blazers)
He said it: "Definitely, that's a huge thing that goes on now — 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." — Hill
2014
Updated
Aaron Gordon of Arizona became part of the Orlando Magic when they took him No. 4 in the 2014 draft.
Picking first: Cleveland Cavaliers
Their selection: Andrew Wiggins, forward, Kansas
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Aaron Gordon (1st round, 4th overall, Orlando Magic)
- Nick Johnson (2nd round, 42nd overall, Houston Rockets)
He said it: "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
2015
Updated
Stanley Johnson, right, went to the Detroit Pistons at No. 8 overall in 2015.
Picking first: Minnesota Timberwolves
Their selection: Karl-Anthony Towns, center, Kentucky
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Stanley Johnson (1st round, 8th overall, Detroit Pistons)
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (1st round, 23rd overall, Portland Trail Blazers)
He said it: "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) — he's one of my friends — 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." — Johnson
2016
Updated
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, greets Ben Simmons as the top pick to the 76ers in 2016.
Picking first: Philadelphia 76ers
Their selection: Ben Simmons, forward, LSU
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
2017
Updated
Photographers measure Lauri Markkanen's wingspan during media day for the NBA basketball team in Chicago.
Picking first: Philadelphia 76ers
Their selection: Markelle Fultz, guard, Washington
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Lauri Markkanen (1st round, 7th overall, Minnesota Timberwolves. Draft rights traded to the Chicago Bulls)
- Kadeem Allen (2nd round, 53rd overall, Boston Celtics)
He said it: "I’m just happy to be here and just glad to be involved in it. I’m just honored if some team, organization, includes me in trades. … I’m really honored to be part of this organization, and can’t wait to go there and do what I can. It’s just a blessing to be (a Bull). And of course with Michael Jordan, greatest player ever to play, it’s huge to be a part of it.” — Markkanen
2018
Updated
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton looks toward the scoreboard during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards in Phoenix, March 27, 2019.
Picking first: Phoenix Suns
Their selection: Deandre Ayton, forward, Arizona
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- Deandre Ayton (1st round, 1st overall, Phoenix Suns)
He said it: “Deandre 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 can’t wait to see him in a Suns uniform.” — Suns GM Ryan McDonough
2019
Updated
Duke's Zion Williamson before a game against Clemson at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Jan. 5, 2019.
Picking first: New Orleans Pelicans
Their selection: Zion Williamson, forward, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
2020
Updated
Josh Green
Picking first: Minnesota Timberwolves
Their selection: Anthony Edwards, forward, Georgia
Arizona Wildcats selected:
- 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." — Green
2021
Updated
Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham, the first overall selection in the NBA basketball draft is introduced in Detroit, Friday, July 30, 2021.
Picking first: Detroit Pistons
Their selection: Cade Cunningham, guard, Oklahoma State
Arizona Wildcats selected: None
2022
Updated
Dalen Terry gets a congratulatory hug from his mom, Fenise Yancy, as they celebrates him being drafted by the Chicago Bulls.
Picking first: Orlando Magic
Their selection: Paolo Banchero, guard, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected:
• Bennedict Mathurin (1st round, 6th overall, Indiana Pacers)
• Dalen Terry (1st round, 18th overall, Chicago Bulls)
• Christian Koloko (2nd round, 33rd overall, Toronto Raptors)
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