Arizona Wildcats Players Taking Care of Business on the Professional Level

Arizona Wildcats basketball currently has 14 former players in the NBA, two in the development league and three notable playing overseas.

NBA, D-League, Overseas, oh my! The Arizona Wildcats basketball program has been a breeding ground for some great talent – who have gone on to represent the Wildcat program on the professional level.

During the Lute Olson era, just to name a few, there were: Sean Elliot, Steve Kerr, Mike Bibby, and Luke Walton – all who had well-established careers in the NBA. Coach Sean Miller has also coached some very talented players in his time with the Wildcats, such as T.J. McConnell and Aaron Gordon.

There is a reason why year after year the Wildcat basketball program attracts these athletes – it is the high percentage rate of players that are successful in the NBA. Olson and now Miller must have been doing something right!  Here you will find out how these former Wildcat players are performing at the professional level (in alphabetical order by last name).

Jerryd Bayless

Current team: Philadelphia 76ers

Stats: Averaging 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game

In his ninth season playing in the NBA, Jerryd Bayless has played for seven different teams – what a journey! After forgoing his sophomore year at Arizona, Bayless was drafted No. 11 in the 2008 NBA draft. He started his professional career with the Portland Trail Blazers, and then he moved onto six more teams after that. The two former Wildcats and current teammates on the 76ers, Bayless and TJ McConnell, never played together in college, but they do have one thing in common – they have red and blue running through their veins, watch out!

This season has been a tough one he would like to forget. Bayless was out the first month of the season due to a left wrist injury – he tried to play through it, but ended up getting season-ending surgery late last year. Just recently his wrist cast was removed, and hopefully, he’ll be ready to play in the 2017-18 season.

Channing Frye

Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Stats: Averaging nine points and four rebounds per game

In his 11th season in the NBA, he now gets to play alongside Lebron “King” James – who would have ever thought?! Not only does he have the opportunity to play alongside one of the greats, but at the same time, he gets to make an impact. Frye was the key factor in the Cavs’ game three win against the Golden State Warriors – going 7-9 from 3-point range, that’s pretty good!

Frye is shooting almost 40 percent from three-point range this season. To have that type of touch from the outside as a big man makes you hard to guard.

Throughout the four years at Arizona (which is a rare thing in today’s game), Frye stats consistently increased year after year – which made the Wildcats that much stronger.

Aaron Gordon

Current team: Orlando Magic

Stats: Averaging 11 points, four rebounds and two assists per game

In only his third season in the NBA, Aaron Gordon has made quite a name for himself. Last year in the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest he finished second (many thought he should have won) and had one of those dunks that made your jaw drop!

This season, Gordon has started in 51 games and has played almost 28 minutes a game – must be those hops!

Many can agree that while he was at Arizona, his athleticism was off the charts! He had the potential to make an impact right away! Gordon was a key member of the Wildcat team that went to the Elite Eight in the 2013-14 season.

Jordan Hill

Current team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Stats: Averaging three points and two rebounds

In his eighth season in the NBA, Jordan Hill has played for five different teams – including four years most notably spent with the LA Lakers.

Currently, he has only played five games and has averaged about eight minutes of playing time with the Timberwolves. It’s only a matter of time before he gets his opportunity to be more of a factor.

As an Arizona Wildcat, he was 12th among the all-time leading scorers. It goes to show how tough and grueling the NBA can be. Sometimes it’s all about patience and timing – ask Derrick Williams that!

Solomon Hill

Current team: New Orleans Pelicans

Stats: Averaging six points, four rebounds and two assists per game

In his fourth season in the NBA, Solomon Hill has turned into a very solid player for the Pelicans. His ball handling skills, combined with his moves around the basket make him a multi-talented small forward.

For three seasons he played for the Indiana Pacers, where he shot almost 40 percent from the field. During his second season, he was the only Pacer to play all 82 regular season games. That’s how you Bear Down!

While at Arizona, his stats reflected his determination to get better each year. From his freshman year to his senior year, his points per game almost doubled, and he was on the All Pac-12 team two years in a row.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Current team: Brooklyn Nets

Stats: Averaging eight points, five rebounds and two assists per game

In his second season with the Brooklyn Nets, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, still “shimmies” even though the Nets have been struggling. Last season he suffered an ankle injury, which put him out of commission for about 8-10 weeks. Since then, it’s been an uphill battle for Jefferson.  He has been unable to really show the fans of Brooklyn his full potential. Playing on one of the worst team in the NBA (they have lost 51 games this year, a number that is still growing) can contribute to that.

While at Arizona, his many exciting moments include this dunk that was “heard around the country”:

Andre Iguodala

Current team: Golden State Warriors

Stats: Averaging six points, four rebounds, three assists and almost one block per game

What an NBA career Andre Iguodala has had! In his 13th season in the league, he has been a key component in the Warriors organization – highlighted by helping them win the championship in 2015. He hasn’t started a game with the Warriors yet, but still puts up solid numbers each night. What a weapon to have come off the bench!

Having a wingspan of over seven feet doesn’t hurt either! Early on in his career, he finished second in the 2006 NBA All-Star Rising Dunk competition:

Iguodala had a very solid two seasons with the Arizona Wildcats. He averaged almost 10 points and seven rebounds and earned multiple team honor awards, such as team MVP and All Pac-10 team.

Richard Jefferson

Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Stats: Averaging six points, three rebounds and one assist per game

Being a veteran in the NBA, Richard Jefferson has not slowed down! Just recently he made this dunk, that would make you think his career just started:

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/831693362008879104

In his 16th season in the NBA, he has played on seven different teams and experienced so much as a professional. From being part of multiple Eastern Conference Championship teams, to playing for the USA in the 2004 Summer Olympics (and being part of the Cavs 2015-16 championship run), it’s safe to say RJ has accomplished quite a lot.

Currently, he is averaging almost 20 minutes a game. Oh, and by the way, this guy is 36 years old!

Jefferson had a great career at Arizona as well, averaging almost 12 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. He was even part of the Wildcat team that made it all the way to the 2001 National Championship game.

Stanley Johnson

Current team: Detroit Pistons

Stats: Averaging seven points, two rebounds and one assist per game

Strong and explosive! That would be a great way to define Stanley Johnson’s college career. Now he is waiting to show everyone what he is capable of in the NBA. He did just that during one of the games he started last season, where he had a career-high 22 points. It is just a matter of time before Johnson becomes a star in the NBA.

While at Arizona, he played like a man. There were times during the game when it was hard to believe he was only a freshman. Johnson averaged 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in his one year with the Cats.

T.J. McConnell

Current team: Philadelphia 76ers

Stats: Averaging six points, three rebounds, and six assists

Possibly the story of the year in the NBA, T.J. McConnell has provided the fans of the 76ers something to cheer about. He is in the right place at the right time! McConnell has taken full advantage of the opportunity he was given – he currently leads the team in assists per game and has helped them win more games this season than last.

It seems almost night after night there is another McConnell highlight on ESPN. His passion, drive, and toughness are what makes him such an exciting player to watch.

While at Arizona, McConnell’s leadership is what stood out and made him such a valuable part of the Cats in the 2013-14 season. He helped the team achieve a record of 21-0 to start the season and got to an Elite 8. His passion, and how much it meant for him to be an Arizona Wildcat can be all be wrapped up in this picture:

Jason Terry

Current team: Milwaukee Bucks

Stats: Averaging four points, one rebound and one assist per game

In his 18th season in the NBA, Jason ” The JET” Terry has had an elaborate career. He had spent eight seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and was part of the 2011 championship team. Other highlights of his career would be his 2009 sixth man of the year award and has scored the third most three-pointers in NBA history. Another milestone that he recently reached, was becoming the oldest player in the NBA at 39 years old.

His current role on the Bucks this season is more of a leadership role to the younger players on the team. With his credentials, they should definitely listen to what he has to say!

While at Arizona, Terry had averaged almost 22 points a game in his senior season and also helped the Cats to the 1997 National Championship as a sophomore.

With all those accolades, Terry more than deserved this jersey retirement ceremony that took place at McKale Center on February 19, 2015:

Derrick Williams

Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Stats: Averaging 10 points and three rebounds per game

In his sixth season in the NBA, Derrick Williams has played on five different teams. He’s finally found a team that seems to be a good fit for him – the Cavs. LeBron James has been nothing but supportive of Williams – in his style of play and athleticism.

Plays like this one on both ends of the court will help him stay long-term with the Cavs:

While at Arizona, Williams had an incredible sophomore season, which included winning the Pac-10 Player of the Year! He averaged 20 points and eight rebounds that season. Probably one the top plays in Wildcat basketball NCAA tournament history, would be this one he made against Texas (starts at 2:02):

NBA Development League players

Gabe York

Gabe York plays for the Erie Bayhawks and is averaging 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Kaleb Tarczewski

Kaleb Tarczewski plays for the Oklahoma City Blue and is averaging 10 points and eight rebounds.

Both players did enter the 2016 NBA Draft, but did not get selected.

Mark Lyons

Mark Lyons is currently playing with the Israel basketball club, Hapoel Tel Aviv. He leads the team, averaging 23 points a game.

Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson is playing with the Antwerp Giants in the Belgian League. He leads the team with seven rebounds per game and is averaging 13 points per game.

Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson is currently playing with Bayern Munich, of the German Basketball Bundesliga League. He is averaging four points and three rebounds per game. Johnson has played for a couple of different NBA Development League teams, Rio Grande Vipers, and the Austin Spurs.

Must Read: March Madness: Early NCAA Tournament Bracket predictions and ZZ Tourney Challenge

And there you have it: Wildcats are everywhere in the NBA, and we didn’t even include all the coaches.