Zona Zealots
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Ex-Arizona Basketball stars to follow professionally in 2020-21

By Shereen Rayan

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #4 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the second half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #4 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the second half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Aug 2, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, USA; Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, USA; Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

Every year we write about Arizona Basketball Alumni in the NBA and Overseas, working as Players and Coaches. This is the 2020-2021 publication.

Arizona Basketball Alumni are usually spread out across the NBA and Overseas, from players to Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches. As the NBA kicks off pre-season play tonight, Zona Zealots has put together a guide on who to watch for in the NBA, the G-League, and Overseas.

Former Players in the NBA (Nine):

Solomon Hill (the 23rd overall pick in 2013), Hill showed us his great impression of someone who was taking full advantage of COVID19 quarantine during the NBA Playoffs playing for the Miami Heat. The 7-year NBA Veteran proved he still has what it takes at the pro-level helping the team off the bench, taking the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers to six games in the 2020 NBA Finals. Hill was traded to the Heat in Feb. 2020.

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However, during that time, the Atlanta Hawks were apparently watching. Following the season, Solo signed with the Hawks on November 25 and this is what the Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlen had to say:

"“Solomon is a player who has been on four playoff teams and has competed on the highest level, We are fortunate to add his veteran presence to our group.”"

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (The 23rd overall pick in 2015) Hollis-Jefferson played in cold Toronto, Canada last season for the Raptors under Head Coach Nick Nurse. Well, I guess the cold doesn’t bother him. The Shimmy King just signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He rejoined with his grad assistant at Arizona, former Arizona Wildcat Joseph Blair as we reported last week.

Stanley Johnson (Toronto Raptors) The Raptors reached the second round of post-season play in 2020.  once again and managed to get to the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs; the first time in Johnson’s career that he advanced to the second round. The Raptors went 7 games with the Boston Celtics and eventually lost. Next season should be a good one for The Stanimal!

Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns) – Ayton continues to play for the Suns into the 2021 season. Last season he averaged 18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and .7 steals per game. Dan Bickley thinks there are four things Deandre needs to do to establish himself in the NBA: Dunk the basketball whenever possible, average 6 or more free throws per game, Protect the rim like it’s the family safe, and become a professional (i.e. – don’t get suspended for violating substance policies).

Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic) is only 25 years old and is going on his seventh season in the NBA. All seven years have been played in Orlando, FL for the Magic. In 2018, Gordon signed a four-year $80 million contract. There was talk of Gordon being traded but it seems the defensive-minded dunker will stick with Orlando this season.

Andre Iguodala (Miami Heat) returns to play with the Miami Heat. The 3-time NBA Champion who agreed to a 2-year $30 million extension, helped his team get to the NBA Championship against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 which was the 6th straight year Iguodala has reached the NBA Finals (10th player to ever get to the finals in six consecutive seasons). Every time he entered the game, he made a difference, but it wasn’t enough and the Heat lost to the Lakers winning two out of six games.

Rawle Alkins (New Orleans Pelicans) joined the Pelicans for training camp. He is currently preparing for a home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Alkins trained all summer in Phoenix with several coaches and fellow Wildcats Nick Johnson and Dylan Smith. He not only put on muscle but he honed in his three-point shot, jumper, and distribution skills.

Lauri Markkanen (Chicago Bulls) signed a 4 year / $20,389,668 contract with the Chicago Bulls, he becomes a restricted free agent next season if he and the Bulls can’t work out a deal with the deadline of Dec. 21st coming fast. The Finnisher hasn’t been lucky when it comes to coaches, he has had at least two coaches and is going on his third, Billy Donovan. Donavan told the media what he thought of Lauri in a zoom call after practice in OKC,

"“What I will say is we all believe that Lauri is an important part to our team moving forward. We feel like he’s only going to continue to get better and improve, but I would say that’s something that both sides are going to try and work out.”"

T.J. McConnell (Indiana Pacers) continues his career with the Indiana Pacers as he signed a contract on July 3rd, 2019, a two-year deal worth $7 million. TJ continues to warm hearts wherever he plays, and Indiana is no different. TJ has a new coach as well, Nate Bjorkgren, who was an assistant coach to Nick Nurse in Toronto.

Brandon Ashley –  NBA G-League Ignite in Walnut Creek, CA. The Ignite will play in exhibition games and will consist of both veteran and prospect players who skipped playing in the NCAA. Established on April 16, 2020, the team is seen as a domestic alternative to college basketball, paying the players’ salaries of up to $500,000.

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