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Wildcats in the NBA Summer League Making a Splash

Shereen Rayan
Shereen Rayan

Zona Zealots

Jan 28, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard T.J. McConnell (4) celebrates during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Summer League started this last week and our former Wildcats are putting on a show for the nation.

The nation of sports writers seem to be waking up to what Arizona Wildcats fans have known all along: Wildcats can ball!

While Coach Sean Miller and Allonzo Trier were tearing up Greece beating Croatia in overtime to win the Gold Medal in the NBA FIBA U19 Championships, his mentee’s were shaking it up at home.

We thought we would share with you what folks are saying and show you how these Wildcats are making their presence known.

Next: Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons - Orlando Summer League

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Orlando kicked off their Summer League games, and we found Stanley Johnson playing against Aaron Gordon. Remember the two never played together, but I am sure Aaron helped recruit Stanley, and Stanley was keenly aware how Aaron got picked fourth in last years draft.

Stanley has talked it up with the media, explaining that he is gearing up for LeBron James.

Pre-NBA draft, a lot of experts felt Stanley was ranked to high and that he was not ready for the NBA even though they seemed to agree that he physically had what it takes. Seems he is now getting the redemption he so deserves.  The No. 8 NBA draft pick Stanley outplayed No. 10 Justise Winslow today.

On the Piston’s website, his current coach seems to see Stanley’s strong point, “He’s a very smart player,” Beyer said. “He’s always grabbing some of the coaches. He wants to look at additional tape and he wants mistakes pointed out to him. He really is a sponge. He wants to get everything he can, he absorbs it and he moves on very quickly.”

Next: T.J. McConnell - 76ers - Utah Summer League

Mar 7, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; From left Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) , guard T.J. McConnell (4) , forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) , forward Brandon Ashley (21) and guard Elliott Pitts (24) walk off of the court after beating the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Arizona won 69-91. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

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Wildcat fans have always adored T.J. McConnell, and for good reason, we watched his game unfold right in front of our eyes. When things didn’t look good for the Wildcats during a game, it was McConnell who never gave up and it was contagious. Of course these leadership traits are very important to have as a point guard in the NBA because you are in charge on the court. Along with his leadership skills, a team gets all the assists and crafty passing.

The world is now seeing what we already know; he has good skill. In his last game, T.J. scored six points, made four assists and seven rebounds, and stole the ball twice. He also missed three three-pointers, not what we are used to experiencing, so he will have to clean that up and work on his shots. It was evident in the NBA combine as well, he shot a little timidly, not what we are used to.

Thinking fellow rookie Jahlil Okafor was pleasantly surprised when playing with T.J. as evidence by this play:

Next: Rondae Hollis=Jefferson - Orlando Summer League

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty-three overall pick to the Portland Trailblazers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson signed his contract today with the Brooklyn Nets, word is he will make close to $1.3 million next season. Rondae is playing “composed and patient” shooting 50% and averaging 8.5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals a game so far. The Nets are happy with their decision.

Here are Rondae’s highlights:

Next: Aaron Gordon - Orlando Magic - Orlando Summer League

Apr 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (44) and Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) reach for a rebound above Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Gordon has definitly healed after the injury he suffered last season, and it seems he found some new energy.  Watching Aaron play in the first game in Orlando this last week, it was an Aaron show. Rebounding, shooting jump shots, yes jump shots, and dominating on both ends of the court.

The announcers started out talking about how disappointing Aaron had been last season, that they weren’t expecting much from him. By the end of the first quarter, they couldn’t stop singing his praises, kind of upset me as a Wildcats fan. Clearly only a few players ever make a huge splash transitioning to the NBA after just one year of college.

These one-and-done players are honestly not even 20 years old when they leave college. Naturally it might take a couple of years for any of them to impress folks unless they play on a team which is already fantastic.

Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com said it best today and summed up why things have changed for Gordon:

"In Orlando, that “leap” is being made by the Orlando Magic‘s Aaron Gordon. The versatile Magic forward has been far and away the best player at the event this week. In his first game, he scored 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds and led the Magic to a one-point win over the Clippers. In his second game on Monday, he scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as his team fell. The production has been great, obviously given those numbers, but that’s not the reason you can see this leap taking place. Rather, it’s the way he has built upon his skills since entering the NBA."

Whatever all our former Wildcats are doing right, they need to keep on doing it, and hopefully this will be great for Arizona recruiting. These players have great attitudes, they don’t give up and they are coachable which confirms what we all know to be true, Coach Sean Miller knows what he is doing.

Anyone going to Las Vegas next weekend for Summer League? If so, I’ll see you there!

Next: Coach Sean Miller and Allonzo Trier bring home the Gold

Shereen Rayan

Shereen Rayan

Shereen Rayan gets to the heart of the story when it comes to sports and the athletes who play them. She is most interested in the story behind the headlines. Her expertise on the Arizona Wildcats has led to guest contributions on “What’s Bruin,” and “MarkRogersTV”. She also is a staple at the Drew League in Compton and high school athlete showcases such as Pangos and Ballislife. Shereen is the host and producer of In The Front Row a YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/inthefrontrow