Arizona center Chase Jeter will not play in Tuesday’s UA-Western New Mexico exhibition game because of an unspecified injury, while forward Ira Lee will be suspended for UA's Nov. 7 season opener with Houston Baptist after his DUI arrest in August, the school said Tuesday.
Jeter and Lee went through early shooting drills at McKale Center but UA declined to say what Jeter's injury is.
Lee, a 20-year-old sophomore, was arrested Aug. 19 in connection with being a minor with alcohol in his system and several DUI charges, ranging from impairment to the slightest degree to super extreme DUI, the arrest report said. In two breathalyzer tests, Lee had a 0.215 and a 0.198 blood-alcohol level, above the 0.08 legal limit.
At Arizona’s Oct. 1 media day, UA coach Sean Miller said Lee would eventually face “some disciplinary action” but that the school was first focused on making sure he was “in a healthy environment.”
When posting an apology on Twitter on Aug. 23, Lee said his grandmother committed suicide a day before his arrest and that he was “already emotionally unstable and dealing with different personal issues.”
During a media day interview, Lee declined to offer further detail on what he has been going through, but Miller said Lee has “been hit with more in the last three or four months than a lot of people are going to be hit with in their entire lifetime.”
During preseason player interviews on Monday, Lee expressed gratitude toward Miller’s approach.
“It’s fair,” Lee said. “Everybody knows what I did, so I’m accepting all responsibility. But at the same time, I’m just focusing on school and basketball right now. Whenever the consequences come, they come.”
If convicted of at least standard DUI (0.80 or above), Lee also faces a minimum of one day in jail. Super extreme DUI (0.020 or above) carries a minimum of three days in jail. Lee has a case management conference scheduled for Dec. 6 in Pima County Justice Court.
While Lee is expected to be a key reserve player for the Wildcats, Miller has already said Jeter will be the Wildcats’ starting center. The Wildcats have only four players for their two post positions, including combo forward Emmanuel Akot.
A McDonald's All-American out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Jeter averaged 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds over 48 games in two seasons for Duke. He transferred to Arizona after the 2016-17 season and sat out last season as required of standard transfers between four-year schools.
In 21 minutes played during UA’s Oct. 14 Red-Blue Game, Jeter had nine points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
Former UA recruiting target Jeremiah Robinson-Earl committed to Villanova.
5⭐️ Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has committed to Villanova! @_JCRE_ pic.twitter.com/GgJHDJj9gh
— TIPTON EDITS 🏀 (@TiptonEdits) October 30, 2018
Get to know the 2018-19 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
Inside look at the 2018-19 Arizona Wildcats roster
UpdatedGet to know Sean Miller's roster for the 2018-19 season, one player at a time.
1 Devonaire Doutrive
UpdatedFreshman, No. 1
From: Dallas
Size: 6-5, 175
Probable role: Backup wing
Age: 18
Major: Undecided
Follow him here: @Devonaire23 (Twitter), Dnaire1 (Instagram)
Favorite pro team? Don’t have a particular team in the NBA. I like the Dallas Cowboys.
Favorite Fortnite strategy? Just try to stay alive and get multiple kills.
Favorite Fortnite dance? It’s the one called hype.
What do you like most about Tucson? Good places to eat. Costa Vida, we hang out there sometimes.
Favorite class? I don’t have a favorite class.
Favorite movie? “Next Friday” or “Friday After Next”
2 Brandon Williams
UpdatedFreshman, No. 2
From: Los Angeles
Size: 6-2 190
Probable role: Starting combo guard
Age: 18
Major: Pre-business
Follow him here: @theeBWill (Twitter), thebwill2 (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? Nothing comes to mind.
Favorite Fortnite strategy? I land at Tilted Towers in the beginning because I think that’s where all the controversy is. I land there and I know if I make it out of there, I’ll win for sure.
Who do you play with in in NBA2K19? Boston Celtics because Kyrie (Irving) is my favorite player.
What do you like most about Tucson? Just the fan support. Everybody here has got your back. They’re almost like a sixth man really. Just having that support is big to us and it’s going to help us down the road.
Favorite class: Philosophy. I took it in high school and I’ve loved it ever since.
Favorite movie: Probably “Space Jam”
3 Dylan Smith
UpdatedJunior, No. 3
From: Mobile, Ala.
Size: 6-5, 170
Probable role: Backup or starting wing
Age: 21
Major: General studies
Follow him here: @shift_smith10 (Twitter), Ds3.ynbm (Instagram, not active)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? Not really. I don’t really watch sports like that. I know if we were to be the underdog story that would be great. And I feel we can be.
Favorite Fortnite strategy or dance? I don’t really play.
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? I just got it actually. It’s fun. I haven’t played video games in years. I play with the Celtics, the Thunder and the Bucks. The Bucks are a cheat code in the game — all of them are 7 feet.
What do you like most about Tucson? Just the fans, really. We have some negative people but most of the fans are real positive with us and they think we’re gonna be good every year. Those who stand with us through the good and bad you just want to thank them, because they don’t have to.
Favorite class? My sign language class now is interesting. It’s tough but it’s interesting. I’ve been going to my tutor and she’s been saying when a deaf person is signing at you, they’re not looking at the sign, they’re looking at your face and they’re drawing a picture of what you’re signing. So that’s interesting. For them to be able to do that, that’s actually like their brain is working on another level.
Favorite movie? “Scarface.” It’s classic. I watch it at least once a week. It still gets me every time.
4 Chase Jeter
UpdatedJunior, No. 4
From: Las Vegas
Size: 6-10, 230
Probable role: Starting center
Age: 21
Major: General studies
Follow him here: @chasejeter04 (Twitter), yhase_ (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? To be continued, I guess.
Favorite Fortnite strategy or dance? You gotta be a builder. What can I say? I’m an architect. Guys can’t keep up with me.
What do you like most about Tucson? I have everything I need really. I live right across the street from campus. So everything I need is within five minutes. I love Tucson. I don’t have to venture much outside of campus but the city has been great to me.
Favorite movie? It changes every time.
5 Brandon Randolph
UpdatedSophomore, No. 5
From: Yonkers, N.Y.
Size: 6-6, 180
Probable role: Starting or key reserve wing
Age: 20
Major: Undecided
Follow him here: @brandolph902 (Twitter), slim2._ (Instagram)
Favorite Fortnite strategy? I suck, but I wouldn’t say I’m the worst.
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? In 2K18, the Bucks because Giannis (Antetokounmpo) is a hack. But in 2K19, I would have to say the Thunder.
What do you like most about Tucson? Baja Cafe
10 Ryan Luther
UpdatedSenior, No. 10
From: Gibsonia, Pa.
Size: 6-9, 225
Probable role: Starting power forward
Age: 23
Major: Graduated from Pitt; pursuing graduate degree in educational leadership
Follow him here: @RyShanLu4 (Twitter), r-luther10 (Instagram, not active)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? Dodgeball
Favorite Fortnite strategy? Camping
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? Lakers. LeBron James
What do you like most about Tucson? The weather, the basketball, the fans, the program.
Favorite class? Education classes
Favorite movie? “The Shawshank Redemption”
11 Ira Lee
UpdatedSophomore, No. 11
From: Los Angeles
Size: 6-7, 235
Probable role: Reserve forward
Age: 20
Major: Pre-business
Follow him here: @iramandoesit (Twitter), leetime11 (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? The movie “Glory Road.” Texas Western, in the ’60s they were first all-black team. No one expected them to do anything — small college in El Paso and they ended up winning it all. I always look at that story.
Favorite Fortnight strategy or dance? I’m not a video game guy.
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? Every now and then I’ll play with the guys. I’ll usually end up using the Warriors. They’re a cheat code. Everybody knows that.
What do you like most about Tucson? The people. Everybody’s welcoming. Everybody’s loving.
Favorite class? Probably economics. I thought it would have been a lot harder. I have an A right now, so I guess that’s my favorite class. I’m definitely learning how money works. It’s making me understand what my dollar is worth.
Favorite movie? Probably “Uncle Drew.” That was pretty funny.
12 Justin Coleman
UpdatedSenior, No. 12
From: Birmingham, Ala.
Size: 5-10, 170
Probable role: Starting or backup point guard
Age: 22
Major: Graduated from Samford with degree in public administration. Pursuing graduate degree in educational leadership.
Follow him here: @justincoleman05 (Twitter), Fchw05 (Instagram, private)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? Honestly, I don’t have one.
Favorite Fortnite strategy? I don’t play. I can tell you the best Fortnite player though: Jake (DesJardins). We have the system in the locker room. I just watch them play.
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? I don’t play. The best 2K player is B-Will (Brandon Williams).
What do you like most about Tucson? What’s crazy is the place I visit the most is Cold Stone. ... That’s why I have the highest body fat on the team, probably.”
Favorite class? I’m doing educational leadership. They’re all online so it’s kind of hard to tell. This was my plan all along to try to finish in three or four years and try to get my masters.
Favorite movie? “Uncle Drew.” That was pretty good.
23 Alex Barcello
UpdatedSophomore, No. 23
From: Chandler
Size: 6-3, 180
Probable role: Reserve combo guard
Age: 20
Major: Pre-business
Follow him here: @AlexBarcello23 (Twitter), alexbarcello (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? “Glory Road”
Favorite Fortnite dance? The running man
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? Warriors
What do you like most about Tucson? The Seven Falls Trail
Favorite class? Hip-Hop Culture
Favorite movie? “Love and Basketball”
Favorite place to eat in Tucson? I would say Grimaldi’s or Mr. An’s.
Favorite flavor of Eegees? They don’t have it right now but root beer. When I would come down when I was being recruited, that was my favorite spot to hit because I love slushies and anything with ice, so that was another selling point for me.
24 Emmanuel Akot
UpdatedSophomore, No. 24
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Size: 6-7, 190 pounds
Probable role: Starting or key reserve forward
Age: 19
Major: Undecided
Follow him here: @Emman_Akot (Twitter), EmmanuelAkot (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? I don’t really have any.
Favorite Fortnite strategy? Just be smart and know when to build, when to be aggressive and when not to be aggressive. And just make sure you always have some sort of health in your package, a shield or something.
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? I like to play with the Lakers, but ever since Deandre (Ayton) I like to play the Suns, too.
What do you like most about Tucson? Just the people, the atmosphere. It’s just a great place to be.
Favorite movie? “The Cat in the Hat.” Don’t ask me why, I just like the movie. You know, the one with the real people? It’s a funny movie. A lot of people don’t understand how funny the movie is. I recommend it for anyone to watch.
Favorite class? I had a philosophy class last year that was really good. About happiness, about just having fun with everything you do.
50 Alex Spence
UpdatedFreshman, No. 50
From: St. Louis
Size: 6-6, 195
Probable role: Walk-on guard
Age: 19
Major: Pre-business
Follow him here: @alec_spence (Twitter), 777alec (Instagram, private)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? “Pursuit of Happyness”
Favorite Fortnite strategy? Build and Run
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? Wizards
What do you like most about Tucson? Illegal Pete’s
Favorite class? MIS-111 (Computers and the Internetworked Society)
Favorite movie? “Shrek”
52 Kory Jones
UpdatedSophomore, No. 52
From: Herndon, Va.
Size: 6-3, 170
Probable role: Walk-on guard
Age: 21
Major: Economics
Follow him here: @KoryJones52 (Twitter), koryjones2 (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? Antonio Brown’s story
Favorite Fortnite strategy? Tilted Towers
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? Blazers
What do you like most about Tucson? The weather
Favorite class? Econ 200
Favorite movie? “Scarface”
54 Matthew Weyand
UpdatedSophomore, No. 54
From: Irvine, Calif.
Size: 6-5, 190
Probable role: Walk-on forward
Age: 19
Major: Pre-business
Follow him here: Not on Twitter, matt_weyand (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? “Remember the Titans”
Favorite Fortnite strategy? Getting wins/sniping at Tilted Towers
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? Blazers
What do you like most about Tucson? The food
Favorite class? Accounting
Favorite movie? “The Notebook”
55 Jake Desjardins
UpdatedJunior, No. 55
From: Henderson, Nev.
Size: 6-6, 215
Probable role: Walk-on forward
Age: 20
Major: Business management
Follow him here: @jakedesjardins (Twitter), jakedesjardins (Instagram)
Favorite underdog or comeback story? “Remember the Titans”
Favorite Fortnite strategy or dance? Orange justice
Which team do you play with in NBA2K19? Lakers
What do you like most about Tucson? U of A
Favorite class? Women’s Rights
Favorite movie? “Space Jam”
Sean Miller
UpdatedHead coach
Age: 49
From: Beaver Falls, Pa.
College: Pittsburgh, ’92 (B.A. communications)
Follow him here: Miller is no longer on Twitter, and was never on Instagram.
Mark Phelps
UpdatedAssistant coach
Age: 52
From: Virginia Beach, Va.
College: Old Dominion, ’96 (B.S. physical education)
Follow him here: @coachmarkphelps (Twitter), not on Instagram
Justin Gainey
UpdatedAssistant coach
Age: 41
From: High Point, N.C.
College: North Carolina State, ’00
Follow him here: @coachgainey (Twitter), Justin.Gainey12 (Instagram)
Danny Peters
UpdatedAssistant coach
Age: 32
From: Cincinnati
College: Ohio State, ’10
Follow him here: @dannyjpeters (Twitter), dannyjpeters (Instagram, private)