Arizona Basketball players in the NBA make news from time to time, but on the same night? That’s unheard of! Until now.
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The night after former Oregon Duck Jordan Bell made a huge controversial dunk contest type dunk playing for the Warriors; three former Arizona Basketball stars made their own splash in the NBA. Aaron Gordon, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Lauri Markkanen made headlines tonight.
The New Jersey Nets, Hollis-Jefferson’s team, and the Orlando Magic, Gordon’s team, played a game tonight at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fl. Gordon’s team ended up on top 125-121, but it wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t score a historical team-high 41-points (making all five three-point shots) and grab 14 rebounds. Gordon hit the game-winning three-pointer to boot.
Hollis-Jefferson scored 18 points (75%) as well as grabbing five rebounds, two assists, and one block in only 23 minutes.
Gordon is just 22 years old playing in his fourth season in the NBA. Hollis-Jefferson is 25 years old, and he is playing in his third season in the NBA.
Both Gordon and Jefferson have done a great job on their respective teams as great role models. Each has taken part in numerous charity events, and seem to really be enjoying life and giving back.
Aaron Gordon hits the game-clinching 3 en route to his career-high 41 point night!
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2017
ORL - 125 / @BrooklynNets - 121 pic.twitter.com/ZTA0GIbaRQ
Look who noticed:
big shot from AG, career night, way to cap it off!
— solomon hill (@solohill) October 25, 2017
So happy for @Double0AG. No one loves the game like he does. Future NBA All Star! https://t.co/frvOR8bFCl
— Joe Pasternack (@Joe_Pasternack) October 25, 2017
While those two Wildcats were facing off, Lauri Markkanen and his Chicago Bulls were taking on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (including Wildcat Channing Frye).
Markkanen, a 20-year-old rookie, played really well against the Cavs. The Bulls lost by only seven points (119-112), and Lauri made history by being the first rookie to hit ten three-pointers in the first three games of his career. Yeah, he worked on that three all summer long, and it paid off.
Lauri Markkanen becomes the first rookie in @NBA history to make 10 threes in the first 3 games of his career. #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/LymXzERD8D
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) October 25, 2017
Look who noticed:
https://twitter.com/ISO_ZO/status/923002155988008960
LeBron apparently stays up late to watch Arizona Basketball games. He had this to say about The Finnisher:
LeBron James on Lauri Markkanen: pic.twitter.com/IUJDjanolG
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 25, 2017
Dwyane Wade also chimed in:
.@DwyaneWade on playing against Lauri Markkanen tonight: pic.twitter.com/9yaVU6H5nd
— AZ Wildcat Country (@Wildcat_Country) October 25, 2017
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Can we ask for more? It just goes to show you, it takes years for these young ones and two and done college players to excel. They are all still so young! Bear Down Wildcats, keep it up!