Over the last 10 seasons as head coach for Arizona Basketball, Sean Miller has been able to acquire transfers that made a big impact. Let’s take a look at the Top 5.
Transfers are becoming more and more of a common thing in college basketball. Whether they are non-graduate or graduate transfers, they bring knowledge, experience and a strong skill set to the team they join. Over the last 10 years, Arizona Basketball head coach Sean Miller has taken advantage of the transfer market. Time to take a look into the top 5 he has acquired.
Not all transfers guarantee immediate success for the team, sometimes it takes a few games, and getting to know the system to find their role on the team. Once they have found their role on the team, they add depth to that particular position.
Another benefit of adding a transfer is that they already have college playing experience under their belt, making it an easier transition versus incoming high school freshmen who have zero college basketball experience.
Because of the increasing number of non-graduate transfers over the last couple of years, the NCAA is implementing stricter guidelines to allow waivers. Those transfers who want to immediately play the next season have to apply for a waiver. If they don’t they would have to sit out a year. The Wildcats have a couple of big time transfers, Jordan Brown and Jemarl Baker, who will be sitting out this season.
After they completed their time at Arizona, a few of these Top 5 transfers under Miller have gone on to play professionally. Let’s take a look at these Top 5 starting with No.5.
No.5 – Ryan Luther
Position: Forward
Size/Height: 6 foot 9, 225lbs
Schools: Pittsburgh (2014-18) /Arizona (2018-19)
Stats at Arizona: 8.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
After playing four years at Pittsburgh, Ryan Luther played his fifth and final season with Arizona. In the 32 games played, he started in 20 of them and averaged 24.9 minutes per game. He did go through a lot of ups and downs this past season, but towards the latter part of the season, he started producing.
He did score in double-digit points in 12 games, including a season-high of19 points against Arizona State on the road. There were games though in which he struggled to find his shot and at times seemed completely out of rhythm
Luter was second on the team in three-point shooting at 37.5% and rebounds per game at 4.3. When he was in a rhythm and feeling confident about his shot, he added depth and versatility to the frontcourt. Having someone of his size be able to step back and shoot the three, opened up opportunities down low for Ira Lee and Chase Jeter.
No.4 – Mark Tollefsen
Position: Forward
Size/Height: 6 foot 9, 199lbs
Schools: San Francisco (2012-15) / Arizona (2015-16)
Stats at Arizona: 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Energy and excitement, those are two things Mark Tollefson brought every time he stepped out on the floor. Those are two qualities another Top 5 under transfer had (hint, hint). He also had the ability to finish down low, pull up to hit the lefty jumper and when needed was able to hit the three-point shot.
His first three college basketball seasons he played for San Francisco and then transferred to Arizona for his fourth year. Tollefsen started in 13 of the 34 games played and averaged 21.9 minutes per game
He currently plays for Maccabi Ashdod of the Israeli Premier League.
No.3 – Mark Lyons
Position: Point guard
Size/Height: 6 foot 1, 200pounds
Schools: Xavier (2009-12) / Arizona (2012-13)
Stats at Arizona: 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Having played back east in the Atlantic-10 for three seasons, Mark Lyons brought toughness and experience to Arizona. He immediately was an impact player for the Wildcats at the starting point guard position.
He was consistent all season long, starting in all 35 games played and had 29 double-digit scoring games. Lyons also recorded a season-high of 27 points against Harvard in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats go on to lose in the Sweet 16 against Ohio State.
One of the highlights of the year for the Wildcats came when Lyons hit a clutch winning layup against Florida at home.
Lyons currently plays overseas for VL Pesaro in Italy.
No.2 – Ryan Anderson
Position: Forward
Size/Height: 6 foot 9, 216pounds
Schools: Boston College(2011-14 / Arizona (2015-16)
Stats at Arizona: 15.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
Having been one of the top scorers for Boston College, Ryan Anderson’s transfer into Arizona was huge. For his size, his aggressive style of play made him a difficult guard. His opponents had to respect his ability to score in various ways.
He led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounds per game. Anderson earned All-Pac-12 honors for his performance. After his final season ended with Arizona, Anderson went undrafted but did end up play in the NBA summer league and then went on to play for the Antwerp Giants in the Belgian League.
After playing another year in Germany, he joined the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League this past season. Anderson still has plenty of years left in and he deserves a chance to perform for an NBA team. Maybe this next season will be the year!
No.1 – T.J. McConnell
Position: Point guard
Size/Height: 6 foot 1, 195pounds
Schools: Duquesne (2010-12 / Arizona (2013-15)
Stats at Arizona: 9.4 points, 5.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game
Being one of the most beloved Wildcats of all-time, it’s no surprise the T.J. McConnell is our No.1 transfer into Arizona under head coach Sean Miller. The love and passion he had (still has) for Arizona basketball was quite apparent. Fans loved him and so did the head coach. On senior night, McConnell kissed the “A” in the center of McKale Center – a moment that will forever be remembered in Arizona Basketball history.
He started in every game he played at Arizona, that says a lot! Besides the stats, it was the intangibles that made him a special player. It was getting the fans and crowd pumped up. It was diving after loose balls. It was his lockdown defense. It was his court awareness and basketball IQ. All these things make him one of the best.
The two seasons he was with Arizona, he led them all the way to the Elite 8, where the Wildcats lost to Wisconsin both times. McConnell really wanted to win it all for Coach Miller and took the losses pretty hard. In the end, it did not diminish what he accomplished while at Arizona.
McConnell earned multiple honors while at Arizona, including First-team All-Pac-12,
Second-team, All-Pac-12, and Pac-12 All-Defensive Team twice. After he was done at Arizona, McConnell went on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. He currently is still with them after seasons and continues to win the hearts of many Philly fans.
At Zona Zealots, we would like to thank each of these transfers into Arizona for providing Wildcats fans with many exciting moments. Let us know what you think about our Top 5 transfers into Arizona under Sean Miller. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!