Arizona Basketball: The King is back, Rawle Alkins is a fan favorite

There is now no argument, Arizona Basketball guard Rawle Alkins is a fan favorite, and in last night’s win over Alabama, he showed fans why.

“Effort, heart and just that determination to win!” That’s what King Rawle Alkins wants you to pay attention too when you watch him play.

Last nights game against Alabama was the beginning of a new chapter in Alkins life, the 2017/18 Arizona Basketball season. Shaving off a week or more from his diagnosed return following a foot injury, Alkins won the Gold Jersey in practice before the game on Saturday. He earned it. Who had it last? Freshman star Deandre Ayton, for four straight weeks.

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It was amazing how fast Rawle healed and was able to come back stronger, in better shape with less body fat, and look almost back to his true form. True, his shot wasn’t falling for him, but his all-around game was on display at McKale Center.

Sean Miller was very happy to have Alkins back in the line-up. He wasted no time, and at the first opportunity, he put Alkins in the game.

All King Rawle had to do was stand up. That’s it, just stand up. As soon as he stood up, McKale erupted with love and cheering for their beloved and missed Wildcat, No. 1.

The fans have a new chant as well. The chant I have been using from the beginning of his career at Arizona has finally caught on, “Raw-le, Raw-le, Raw-le,” and I hope it continues because it is fun to cheer for the King of Tucson.

“Love all you guys man, Best fans in the world! #SAVAGELIFE” tweeted Alkins in response to Ari Alexander’s tweet above. So the feeling is mutual.

The way fans adore Rawle reminds us of how they felt about T.J. McConnell. It’s the intangibles. Alkins chose to return to Arizona, to Tucson. He didn’t have too, there were some NBA GMs interested in Alkins, but he wanted to bring a championship home to the Dirty T.

The heart Rawle brings to the court cannot be measured in his stat line. Against Alabama, he scored seven points in 22 minutes, and true to form he was disappointed that he shot wasn’t dropping. It is plays like these that show he doesn’t give up on a play, always trying to keep the ball alive and took it in the chest, but got the ball back for his team at a crucial time in the game. Sean Miller trusted Alkins enough that he played him a the end of the game to close it out. His first game back nonetheless.

Alkins loves the fans just as much as the fans adore him. “You know, Tucson Arizona, we have the best fans in the world in McKale Center, and It was a big game tonight, a sold-out crowd,” Alkins said post game on the IMG Sports Network.

Many have adopted his hashtag SavageLife into their posts and profiles. Fans have been looking for more savage defense on the team.

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The Arizona Basketball team is now 7-3 on the season. The freshmen are learning more each game they play. Deandre Ayton is dominating the stat line. And finally, the fans and the team got their leader and one of their favorite players back on the court! Bear Down King Rawle!