Arizona Basketball: A Season to Remember for Rawle Alkins

Nov 15, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Rawle Alkins (1) celebrates during the first half against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Rawle Alkins (1) celebrates during the first half against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Wildcats freshman Rawle Alkins’s first season with the team is complete. It’s time to recap what an amazing year he had.

Savage life! That’s the first thing you think of when you think of Rawle Alkins. What he brought to the team this year, night in and night out was incredible!

The toughness, the versatility on both sides of the court, how he carried himself on and off the court, these are all good reasons why Alkins was a key part in the Wildcats success this season. Plus, he made it so fun for fans to watch!

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After watching Alkins for the first time, he didn’t look much like an underclassman, but instead more like a junior or senior physically. The way he is built and handles himself on the court is very un-freshman-like – it’s savage like! Having a player who is in such great shape and so athletic and skilled, his versatility gave the team so many options, which was GREAT for Coach Sean Miller.

The stats in his first year were off the charts! He even started in all, but one of the 37 games the Wildcats played this year. This shows the amount of trust and confidence coach Miller had in him. Plus, Alkins averaged almost 28 minutes per game scoring in double figures in 22 out of 37 games including two double-doubles. His game-high came in the first round of the 2017 tournament against North Dakota when he scored 20 points.

That’s what I’m talking about!

Rawle ALkins Game Log Table
RkDateOpponentMPFGFG%2P2P%3P3P%FTFT%TRBASTSTLBLKPTS
12016-11-11Michigan State261.2501.3330.0001.50022103
22016-11-15Cal State Bakersfield305.6251.5004.6671.500430015
32016-11-18Sacred Heart285.4555.7140.0008.889511118
42016-11-21Northern Colorado233.3752.4001.3332.66720009
52016-11-24Santa Clara283.3752.4001.33311.00043138
62016-11-25Butler304.80031.0001.500040109
72016-11-30Texas Southern346.75051.0001.3331.500212114
82016-12-03Gonzaga377.4676.5001.3331.500712016
92016-12-06UC-Irvine263.3331.2002.5006.667762014
102016-12-10Missouri377.5383.5004.5711.500911019
112016-12-14Grand Canyon334.3644.6670.00031.000841011
122016-12-17Texas A&M373.2503.3330.00061.000562012
132016-12-20New Mexico315.4554.5001.3332.5001132013
142016-12-30University of California314.3334.33302.400910010
152017-01-01Stanford294.5711.3333.75081.000722019
162017-01-05Utah323.2732.3331.2002.66781009
172017-01-07Colorado323.3332.4001.2503.750221110
182017-01-12Arizona State312.2502.4000.0001.50064215
192017-01-19USC313.2730.0003.5005.833421114
202017-01-21UCLA173.6002.6671.5003.750510010
212017-01-26Washington State244.5712.6672.50021.000201012
222017-01-29Washington292.3330.0002.40021.00080128
232017-02-02Oregon State254.4444.8000.0000.00030108
242017-02-04Oregon287.6365.6252.6670644116
252017-02-08Stanford195.6253.7502.5000310012
262017-02-11University of California232.3332.5000.00011.00031005
272017-02-16Washington State295.5563.5002.6671.500630013
282017-02-18Washington261.1671.2500.0001.50024013
292017-02-23USC1751.00031.00021.0000441112
302017-02-25UCLA192.4002.5000.000032004
312017-03-04Arizona State264.4444.5710.0003.5001500011
322017-03-09Colorado275.6252.5003.75021.000131115
332017-03-10UCLA273.75021.0001.5001.50051008
342017-03-11Oregon283.3752.5001.25021.00021029
352017-03-16North Dakota2981.00061.00021.00021.000450120
362017-03-18Saint Mary’s (CA)273.4293.5000.000021206
372017-03-23Xavier312.2862.5000.000032004
37 Games1037143.46399.52144.37074.733183763317404

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/3/2017.

Besides his stats, it was the passion and energy that he brought to the team that stands out more than anything:

Another character trait he embodied was his toughness. During the round of 32 against St. Mary’s, he persevered like a warrior after dislocating his finger in the first half. He ended up coming back in the game and finished with six points and two rebounds. It was his presence on the court, that cannot be counted as a stat. I feel it was it is ultimately what made the difference in the Wildcats’ victory.

The 2016-17 season brought many memorable moments from of the “King of the City” (of Alkins nicknames), which included some Sportscenter Top 10 plays as well. Here are a few to enjoy:

Alkins showed off his dunk capabilities – WOW!

Alkins doing his version of the “J.J. Taylor” spin move to the bucket – that was just sick!

Alkins did it on both ends of the court – defense was key!

https://twitter.com/LeadingNCAA/status/842573003044995072

Must Read: More on Rawle Alkins..

As this year comes to a close, Zona Zealots wants thank Alkins for providing Wildcat fans something to be proud of. We hope for another year of Savage Life and many more exciting moments from Alkins. BEAR DOWN RAWLE! Thank you for all the memories this season.

Schedule

Schedule