Watch: 8 best things ex-Wildcat Channing Frye said during return to Arizona

Frye returns to his old stomping grounds to host The CATSYS

Channing Frye is back in Tucson and on Monday, the ex-Arizona Center hosted the 2019 CATSYS, an award show for UA student-athletes. 

Frye just wrapped up his final NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and retired after a 13-year pro career. After being drafted eighth overall by the New York Knicks in 2005, the former Wildcat and Phoenix native spent his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Frye helped out the Cavaliers overcome a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to beat the Golden State Warriors and win a championship.

At Arizona, Frye earned All-Pac-10 honors in 2004 and 2005 and led the Wildcats to a Sweet 16 and two Elite Eight appearances. On a mission to scarf down as much Mexican food as possible, Frye took some time to share his NBA career, returning to Tucson and a comical story about Gilbert Arenas. 

Utilizing Tucson's new streetcar

Channing Frye says the biggest difference in Tucson since his last visit is the Sun Link Streetcar:“You had to find someone who wasn’t drinking to get you a ride to that side.”Frye also says his favorite memory at McKale Center was beating UCLA during his freshman year. pic.twitter.com/5EmqFDUNk2

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) April 23, 2019

Life of a retired NBA player

Channing Frye on living the retirement life: “I thought about getting on the bike and said ‘What for?’”Frye says for now, he’s doing broadcasting work with NBA TV and ESPN, but plans on possibly pursuing a coaching career. pic.twitter.com/8bFOcX97jE

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 23, 2019

Doubted his NBA career twice as a pro

Channing Frye thought his NBA career would get cut short twice until he signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2009. “It catapulted my career.” pic.twitter.com/7luDxZMp6b

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 23, 2019

Playing in Cleveland and being teammates with LeBron James

Channing Frye on winning a championship in Cleveland and his relationship with @KingJames: “When you win a championship, you can’t just be friends, you have to be brothers. ... The relationship I have with all those guys is forever.” pic.twitter.com/RvofmBs7Vo

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) April 23, 2019

Frye will take the broadcasting (and possibly coaching) route

The best advice @channingfrye got for hosting the CATSYS?“Don’t be like @Rjeff24.” Frye also talks about his podcast, @RoadTrippinPod: pic.twitter.com/y0f1B9lky7

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 23, 2019

Owing the UA

Channing Frye on why he decided to host The CATSYS: “I feel like I owe them a debt for making me who I am today. ... For a chance to come out to Tucson and get a chance for some good Mexican food, I can’t pass that down.” pic.twitter.com/jv9trQfUBU

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 23, 2019

The legend of Gilbert Arenas storming out of a UA classroom

What was your first day of college like?? This was @Channing_Frye ... thanks to @GilbertAgent0 🤣

TO WATCH: https://t.co/AC9HH9NUKC pic.twitter.com/c4bWEso1Ms

— RoadTrippinPodcast🎧 (@RoadTrippinPod) April 8, 2019

Channing Frye says the story of Gilbert Arenas storming out of a classroom at the UA and shutting off the lights “was super legit and horrible.”“You have that one brother or cousin that’s crazy but you always want to see what they’ll do next? That’s Gilbert.” pic.twitter.com/YnlZCnU3ht

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) April 23, 2019

Keeping up with Lute Olson

Channing Frye makes sure to always keep tabs on Lute Olson: pic.twitter.com/F4M7eyzXVf

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 23, 2019