Arizona Basketball: Top 8 Wildcats recruited from Arizona High Schools

No. 3 Mike Bibby

Mike Bibby was a highly talented freshman and was a key component to the Wildcats 1997 National Championship run. He had that natural ability and confidence to get things accomplished on the court.

Bibby started his basketball career at Shadow Mountain High in Phoenix and is currently the head coach of the varsity team there. His son, Michael Bibby, went there as well and is playing for the University of South Florida.

In Bibby’s freshman year at Arizona, he averaged almost 14 points, five assists and three rebounds per game. He won multiple All Pac-10 and National honors, including Pac-10 Player of the Year during his sophomore year, putting up some solid stats: 18 points, six assists and three rebounds per game.

During the 1997 NCAA Tournament, he took over and was the Wildcat’s true leader on the floor, along side Miles Simon. Against the Kentucky Wildcats in the championship game, Bibby scored 19 points in overtime – leading the Cats to their first national championship!

Bibby stayed one more year with Arizona, then went to the NBA to have a very respectful career. He played for multiple teams over his 14 season tenure, including leading the Sacramento Kings to the 2002 Western Conference final, before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.

On November 11, 2004, the Arizona Wildcats programs paid the ultimate respect to Bibby, by retiring his No. 10 Wildcat Jersey. Recently, he also took part in Ice Cube’s Big 3, 3-on-3 leagues, where he was the captain of the Ghost Ballers and showed off his four point touch!