Over almost a decade with the Arizona Wildcats, coach Sean Miller has lost 13 players to early NBA departures (or attempts) and another 14 to transfers, retirements and foreign leagues before their eligibility expired.
But Omar Thielemans' decision to transfer was the earliest of the 27 departures under Miller at Arizona, with the Belgian forward not even appearing in the Red-Blue Game nor a single exhibition.
Thielemans did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday, though UA coach Sean Miller called him a "great young man" in a statement and wished him the best. Miller had previously referred to Thielemans as "more of a developmental player" and it was clear he would not crack this season's UA rotation.
Here's a list of the previous transfers/retirements in the Miller era. (This doesn't count Zane Johnson's departure for Hawaii in April 2009 just after Miller was hired, but does count Kyryl Natyazhko and Josiah Turner because the reasons behind their departures were similar to those of transfers.)
Jan 2010: Garland Judkins (Texas A&M Corpus Christi)
March 2010: D.J. Shumpert (Cal State San Bernardino)
April 2011: Josiah Turner (Canada)
April 2011: Daniel Bejarano (Colorado State)
May 2011: MoMo Jones (Iona)
Dec. 2011: Sidiki Johnson (Providence)
April 2012: Kyryl Natyazhko (Ukraine)
May 2013: Angelo Chol (SDSU)
May 2014: Zach Peters (retired)
Jan. 2015: Craig Victor (LSU)
March 2016: Justin Simon (St. Johnβs)
May 2016: Elliott Pitts (junior college)
Nov. 2016: Ray Smith (retired)
Oct. 2018: Omar Thielemans (unknown)
These were the early pro departures under Miller with NBA pick in parentheses as noted:
2011: Derrick Williams (2)
2013: Grant Jerrett (40)
2014: Aaron Gordon (4)
2014: Nick Johnson (42)
2015: Brandon Ashley (undrafted)
2015: Stanley Johnson (8)
2015: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23)
2017: Lauri Markkanen (7)
2017: Kobi Simmons (undrafted)
2017: Chance Comanche (undrafted)
2018: Deandre Ayton (1)
2018: Allonzo Trier (undrafted)
2018: Rawle Alkins (undrafted)
Yahoo's Dan Wetzel wonders if the NCAA will investigate Duke after the conversation between an Adidas rep and Kansas assistant Kurtis TownsendΒ about Duke's Zion Williamson was relayed in court.
In closing arguments of the college basketball trial in New York, the prosecution claims schools never would have taken players who were the subject of secret payments.Β
Christian Dawkins' attorney claims Brian Bowen was arguably "ineligible seven times" before he arrived at Louisville.
Phoenix radio host Jody Oehler ranked UA's big men highest after watching the Red-Blue Game.
