Wildcat Great Miles Simon to have jersey hung in McKale

Arizona Basketball announces former Wildcat great Miles Simon will finally have his jersey honored by the program this year. 

Perhaps a long time coming, but the former Wildcat great Miles Simon will get his long overdue recognition for a storied basketball career, one in which he helped lead the Arizona Wildcats to the 1997 NCAA Championship

Arguably one of the most iconic faces to A Players Program, Simon will not have to wait much longer to see the school forever cement his place in the rafters, along with other Wildcat greats.

News broke yesterday that the 1997 NCAA Final Four MVP would receive his recognition this year. Naturally, Wildcats fans everywhere rejoiced, perhaps just not the ones that live in Lexington, KY.

Miles wasn’t the only one celebrating, as a former teammate, and Wildcat great Jason Terry also showed his support.

Terry, of course, had his jersey retired by the school this past season. He had long been considered ineligible after having received improper benefits from an agent while at the UofA. Terry repaid the money that was forfeited from the NCAA Tournament revenue.

More from Wildcats Basketball

• Arizona Basketball likely to schedule Florida Atlantic for 2023
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s FIBA World Cup performance is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s
• Rawle Alkins a star in the Drew League this summer
• Arizona Basketball to play in ‘Battle 4 Atlantis’ in 2024
• Reflections on the Pac-12, the Arizona Wildcats, and other memories

Simon’s marvelous play during the 1997 NCAA Tournament was a big reason the Wildcats were crowned champions. He was crowned MVP of the 1997 Final Four. Even more impressive, Arizona remains the only team to defeat three number one seeds in route to the National Championship.

The University of Arizona had revised criteria that previously had him ineligible, but now the program can honor our beloved Wildcat by retiring his jersey.

The old criteria only allowed for players named to some sort of national season-long honor. Also, worth noting, the school is calling this a ‘jersey recognition’ from now on rather than a ‘jersey retirement.’

The school’s policy has always been to retire jersey’s, not actual numbers, which is why you will see freshman Lauri Markkanen wearing number 10, Mike Bibby‘s old jersey.

It has been nearly 20 years since that championship, but many of us Wildcat fans who were around to experience it will never forget that incredible run.

Here are the final moments to reminisce and relive the unforgettable 1997 National Championship game with our Wildcat forever, Miles Simon.

Next: Hall of Fame DL Ricky Hunley could have been a Pittsburgh Pirate

On behalf of Zona Zealots, we would like to congratulate Miles Simon on this great distinction and honor. Many of our ZZ contributors will be in attendance to be a part of this very special day. We agree it is long overdue! BearDown, Miles!