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Arizona basketball: 30 Greatest Wildcats of all time

By Shereen Rayan

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 22: Former Arizona Wildcats basketball coach Lute Olson waves to fans as he walks with wife Kelly Pugnea during the first half of the college football game against the Utah Utes at Arizona Stadium on September 22, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 22: Former Arizona Wildcats basketball coach Lute Olson waves to fans as he walks with wife Kelly Pugnea during the first half of the college football game against the Utah Utes at Arizona Stadium on September 22, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport
Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport /

Arizona Basketball Greatest Player No. 25 – Sean Rooks

Position: Center

Years at Arizona: 1988-1992

College Stats: 11.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.1 Ast, 0.5 stl, 1.1 blk

College Awards: 

1992 1st Team Pac-10
1990 Pac-10 49 (1st) In Blocks

NBA Draft:  1992 / Round: 2 / Pick: 30th overall Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
Years in the NBA: 11

NBA achievements:

NBA Asst. Coach
NBA G-League Coach

Sean Rooks came to play in Tucson the year after the Wildcats got to the Final Four in 1988. He played alongside Sean Elliott, Matt Meuhlebach (current Pac-12 sportscaster), Kenny Lofton (Currently a filmmaker), and Harvey Mason (Current Music Producer and mogul). The Wildcats went 17-1 and earned first place in the Pac-12 in his freshman year. It wasn’t until his final year with Arizona that he shined and won some awards.

After being drafted by the Dallas Mavs 30th in the second round, Rooks continued to play 11 years in the NBA. Rooks was just getting his coaching career solidified

Rooks passed away way too soon in June of 2016 at the age of 46, he was beloved by many. Rooks, on the morning of his passing, visited with Knicks president Phil Jackson and GM Steve Mills for an assistant coaching position. He had just been relieved of his duties as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, who published this statement:

"“Sean will long be remembered not for his accomplishments on the court — of which there were many — but for his vibrant personality, positive outlook and the genuine care he had for everyone in his life.”"

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