T.J. McConnell might be the most unlikely — yet undeniably deserving — member of the Arizona men’s basketball Ring of Honor.
The popular point guard who helped the Wildcats reach back-to-back Elite Eights didn’t qualify for the Ring of Honor via a technicality. He earned it. He did it the hardest way: By playing 10 years in the NBA.
Michael Lev is a senior writer/columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson.com and The Wildcaster.
McConnell is in the midst of his 10th season, the past six with the Indiana Pacers. It is a remarkable achievement for someone who wasn’t drafted, stands 6-foot-1, isn’t a prolific 3-point shooter and has never dunked in an NBA game.
But the talk Wednesday night — when McConnell returned to McKale Center, watched the unveiling of his banner and recreated his iconic kiss of the “Block A” logo — wasn’t about who he isn’t or what he can’t do. It was about who he is, what he’s done and what he’s still doing.
McConnell has defied the odds by being true to himself, understanding his role and maximizing his skill set.
Former Arizona guard T.J. McConnell acknowledges the crowd during his Ring of Honor induction ceremony before the Wildcats’ game against Samford on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at McKale Center.
“He figured out how to get everything out of his ability,” said UA coach Tommy Lloyd, who presented McConnell with a commemorative basketball during a ceremony preceding Arizona’s 96-64 victory over Samford.
“That’s real talent. If you have talent and you don’t know how to get (the most out of it), what is that? It’s kind of a mirage.
“He’s tough as you-know-what. He gets everything out of himself and his teammates. The dude’s a stud. We need a little more T.J. McConnell on our team.”
Although he has proved himself time and again, it seemed as if McConnell could barely believe what was happening Wednesday. Was this real?
When he was a player here, from 2012-15, he’d look up at the Ring of Honor banners that hang from the rafters. He never thought his name would appear next to the likes of Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr and Damon Stoudamire.
“I didn’t even know I’d be playing professional basketball,” McConnell said. “The world works in mysterious ways. I’ve been incredibly blessed.”
Former Arizona wing and current Indiana Pacer Bennedict Mathurin poses with his former coach, Tommy Lloyd, during a pregame ceremony honoring Mathurin’s Pacers teammate and former Wildcat guard T.J. McConnell on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at McKale Center.
McConnell has not benefited from good fortune or nepotism. Nothing was guaranteed when he pursued pro ball. As an undrafted free agent, he wasn’t supposed to make the Philadelphia 76ers roster in 2015. Yet he did. Then he did it again.
Nearly a decade later, McConnell — who’s 32 years old but still would fit in seamlessly in a boy band — is in the first year of a four-year, $44.8 million contract with the Pacers. He has made more than $45 million in his career. He’s averaging a career-high 11.3 points per game while shooting a career-best 57.2% from the field.
McConnell credits his longevity — sustained excellence, really — to “just doing the things that got me there and playing my role” in a league that’s ever-changing. He’s thriving despite rarely taking a 3-point shot — he averages roughly one attempt every other game — in an era when it seems like that’s all anybody does.
“I’ve tried to adapt as much as I can — but also remain who I am,” McConnell said. “If you try to change too much, it can end up hurting you in the long run. So ... just remaining who I am and do what I do best.”
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) celebrates after making a 3-point basket — a rarity for him — during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics on May 25, 2024, in Indianapolis.
McConnell takes care of the ball, distributes it to his teammates and makes more shots than he misses. He has a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.1 to 1.6 and shoots 51.9% from the field.
He’s also a plus defender with a career average of 1.2 steals per game.
“I am often asked what makes T.J. a special player, and I always start with the fact that people underestimate his defense,” former UA coach Sean Miller, McConnell’s biggest advocate, said earlier this fall on his podcast.
McConnell was the guest. Miller continued.
“When you talk about T.J. as a player,” he said, “you have to start on the defensive end, his instincts, his know-how and his ability to defend even at the NBA level.”
It’s not surprising to hear Miller heap praise on McConnell. Miller always believed in McConnell, even when his Mini-Me had doubts about himself. Arizona was a big step up from Duquesne, where McConnell started his career. (His sister, Megan, is the best player for the Duke’s women’s team.)
Arizona guard T.J. McConnell, left, and coach Sean Miller celebrate after a play against USC on Feb. 19, 2015, at McKale Center.
But after sitting out a year because of the NCAA’s transfer rules — LOL — McConnell became the starting point guard and glue guy for UA squads that went 67-9. Each came within a game of advancing to the Final Four.
“His teammates would be the first to tell you that T.J. was the most important player on the team,” Miller said. “He was the straw that stirred the drink for us.”
Lloyd also delved into beverage metaphors while waxing about McConnell. Lloyd recalled a 2014 matchup between Arizona and Gonzaga that pitted McConnell against Kevin Pangos. Pangos would go on to have “a cup of coffee” in the NBA, Lloyd noted. McConnell, meanwhile, has had “a full keg.”
It’s doubtful that kegs were filled with coffee when Lloyd attended college. But you get the point.
Former Bulldogs assistant Lloyd and forever-a-Wildcat McConnell shared the McKale Center court again Wednesday. McConnell strolled out in a navy satin jacket and tapped his chest — his heart — to say thank you to his adoring fans. He was joined by his wife, his parents, his sister and the entire Pacers traveling party that soon would depart for Phoenix for a Thursday game against the Suns.
Arizona guard T.J. McConnell, right, drives to the net against Gonzaga guard Kevin Pangos during the first half of their game Dec. 6, 2014, at McKale Center.
After lowering himself to the floor to give the Block A another smooch, McConnell watched most of the game from the “Hollywood seats” next to the UA bench.
He exited with 3:55 remaining, but not before signing a Pacers jersey and several posters featuring his likeness.
At halftime, McConnell was asked if he missed McKale.
“Yes, very much so,” he said. “Just coming back and hearing the ovation and seeing the love from everyone. I played here a long time ago, it seems, and that love has never gone away. I love this university, this place, these fans, this program. It’s a special place for me.”
Now he’s a permanent part of it. His name is up there next to Kenny Lofton, another unique UA athlete. But as the Arizona Athletics account put it on social media, McConnell is “1 of 1.”
The UA has had 79 NBA Draft picks, including 27 first-rounders. It’s had 35 players who have been or will be inducted into the Ring of Honor. It’s had 30 McDonald’s All-Americans.
Former Arizona guard and current Indiana Pacer T.J. McConnell re-enacts his kissing the “Block A” from his last game at McKale Center during his Ring of Honor ceremony before the game against Samford on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
It’s had one T.J. McConnell. His journey might never be replicated. That didn’t stop him from offering advice to anyone who aspires to follow his example.
“There’s going to be a lot of naysayers along the way that are going to tell you you’re not good enough in whatever you do,” McConnell said.
“But if you put your head down and go to work, anything’s possible. I feel like I’m living proof of that.”
