Arizona Wildcats Basketball: NBA Rookie Wildcats in the news

Nov 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) passes around Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. McConnell is the feel-good story of the NBA. Going from being undrafted to the starting point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers is almost movie script worthy. Believe it or not, there are actually 14 rookies in the NBA who were undrafted, five of which are 26 years or older. McConnell is 23.

McConnell ranks No. 1 among all rookies in assists averaging 6.2 assists per game and ranks No. 2 in steals averaging 1.4 per game. This all from an undrafted rookie.

Nov 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) goes for a layup against the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

McConnell and his fellow rookie and teammate Jahlil Okafor rank in the top four rookies who average the most minutes of playtime; 27.9 and 33.1 respectively. Okafor has been in the news lately and now has a bodyguard because he was ticketed for driving 108 miles per hour, and he got in a fist fight with someone who was making fun of his Sixers.

Although McConnell earned a spot in the starting line-up in the Sixers last 13 games, putting Isaiah Canaan in the reserve spot. Feeling the pressure and needing to win a game, coach Brett Brown is trying to find a combo that works between starters and bench players.

“We’re trying to find that right balance,” Canaan said. “We’re trying to find everybody’s best game and put it all together.”

The team desperately needs a win. Either way, we know McConnell won’t complain, and he will do what he can to help the team win.

T.J. McConnell has received a lot of love from his Wildcats fans on social media. Zona Zealots paid close attention all the way through the pre-season, and we are still keeping up with his progress. The ZZ article with the most views in the last two months was about T.J. taking on LeBron James.

RELATED STORY –> T.J. McConnell Takes on LeBron James

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He is getting attention from the nation’s sports writers now, and it seems they are all discovering what Wildcats fans already knew, he plays with heart, he plays to win, he’s a great teammate, and he makes things happen.

Oh and we miss him in Tucson, this was the sentiment from numerous fans on social media after the DIRECTV Wooden Legacy tournament was in the books.

We will keep you all in the loop on how our Wildcats are doing as rookies in the NBA throughout the season.