Arizona will formally add Jerryd Bayless to its Ring of Honor at McKale Center during the Red-Blue Game, the school announced Wednesday. The 2007-08 UA guard qualified after spending 10 years in the NBA.
The Ring of Honor adds to its legacy. Watch @jerrydbaylessβs name join other McKale greats at halftime of π΄π΅ Game. π: https://t.co/YHGhZ6dPjL#APlayersProgram pic.twitter.com/CtwR7aIhxd
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) October 3, 2018
Former UA star Deandre Ayton also qualifies for Ring of Honor induction after he was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a first-team all-American last season. UA has not announced his addition yet, but Ayton's qualification is automatic.
Ring of Honor players have their names displayed on a banner at McKale Center. There are several qualifications that can get them there, either through what they did at Arizona or what they've done since then.
The qualifications include:
- First team all-American.
- A major national honor such as Player of the Year or Freshman of the Year. (These awards also qualify UA players to have their jerseys retired.)
- Pac-12 Player/Defender/Freshman of the Year.
- Career leader in three or more statistical categories.
- Olympic medalist
- 10 years in the NBA.
Bayless played for interim head coach Kevin O'Neill in 2007-08 and became the No. 11 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Now a teammate of former UA guard T.J. McConnell in Philadelphia, Bayless has made more than $40 million in the NBA.
The Suns made Ayton the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft last June.
Florida forward C.J. Walker dropped Arizona and Florida from consideration,Β listing a top 3 of Miami, Oregon and LSU. The move was no surprise, since Walker has not taken an official visit to Arizona and he raved about his recent visit to Eugene.
