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Arizona Basketball: Why Max Hazzard should also join the Wildcats

By David Rosen

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Max Hazzard #2 of the UC Irvine Anteaters makes a three-point shot to tie the game at the end of the half in front of Cartier Diarra #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Max Hazzard #2 of the UC Irvine Anteaters makes a three-point shot to tie the game at the end of the half in front of Cartier Diarra #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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Arizona basketball is looking to add depth to its back court next season by hosting UC Irvine transfer Max Hazzard.

Experience and leadership. That’s what the Arizona basketball program is looking to do. The Wildcats recently hosted UC Irvine transfer Max Hazzard. The last name may sound familiar because it is! He is the brother of former Wildcat walk-on Jacob Hazzard. Doesn’t hurt to have that connection and hopefully it can convince the transfer to join the team next season.

This past season Samford transfer Justin Coleman played the veteran role on the team. Not really known for his scoring, Coleman did deliver early and had some big games throughout. It wasn’t enough though to get the Wildcats into the postseason. With the addition of Hazzard, who is a legit scorer and can make an immediate impact, is just what the Wildcats need to have a successful regular season and postseason.

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With a lot of elite talent being one and done, transfers are becoming that much more valuable. They bring experience and understanding of what it takes to be successful at the college level. That is exactly what Hazzard brings. This past season he helped UC Irvine become Big West Champions as well as upset Kansas State in the round of 64 before loosing to Oregon in the second round.

In his three seasons with Anteaters, Hazzard averaged 8.7 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game and 1.8 assists per game. This past season he averaged 12.5 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and shot 39% from three. He even had one game in which he had 10 three pointers, a UC Irvine record!

It’s quite apparent the confidence Hazzard has from all over the court. His quickness, court awareness and smooth looking jump shot or three point shot makes him a versatile at the one or even two spot. He would mesh well with either Brandon Williams or Nico Mannion in the backcourt. If Arizona were able to acquire him, would not be surprised if Hazzard was in the starting rotation, he’s that good!

It does need to be said the Coach Sean Miller knows how to recruit. With all the latest happening the FBI trial and everything he has been through and had to deal with, it says a lot about ability to recruit at a very high level.

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For now we will have to wait and see what happens. If Hazzard does decide to come to Arizona next season, he would make a great addition to an already stacked team of talent. Bear Down, Arizona!

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