The history and tradition of Arizona Basketball run deep, so we brought you a breakdown of where our former Cats are playing or coaching now!
With the list of former Arizona Basketball players currently playing or coaching in the NBA or overseas being quite extensive, listed below is who we have tracked down.
NBA PLAYERS (13 signed, three Free Agents)
Arizona Wildcats Basketball
Andre Iguodala – Golden State Warriors
Former Arizona Basketball star and NBA Champion Andre Iguodala just left Miami! He’s on his way home to the Golden State Warriors for a reunion with his fellow Wildcat Coaches Steve Kerr and Bruce Fraser, along with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. However, he will be without Nico Mannion who decided to play professionally in Italy (see International Players).
Deandre Ayton – Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton, since drafted No. 1 in 2018, Ayton has been severely underrated and discounted as a bust. But we knew all along that he wasn’t, he just needed the right coach and point guard. And that’s just what he got with Monty Williams and Chris Paul. Ayton was an integral part of helping the Suns make the NBA Finals in 2021, and he finally was able to silence all the naysayers and media about his skills. The Suns ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games (4-2). The future is bright for the Suns and the expectations are high now that Chris Paul re-upped his contract for another four years, three guaranteed through 2025 worth roughly $120 Million.
The Suns also have an option to keep Ayton according to AZCentral.com, “Ayton is eligible for a rookie extension — five-year max deal worth $168 million — this summer after signing a four-year, $40.3-million deal as the top overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Arizona.”
Aaron Gordon – Denver Nuggets
Aaron Gordon left Orlando last if year if you weren’t aware, as Gordon was traded to the Denver Nuggets. As a starter, Gordon helped the Nuggets make it to the second round of the playoffs, before losing in four games to the Phoenix Suns.
Solomon Hill – Atlanta Hawks
After playing for the Pacers out of college from 2013 – 2016, Solomon then moved to the Pelicans on a four-year deal where he tore his hamstring and was out for the season in 2017, played one game in 2018, and was then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
In early February 2020, Solo was then traded to the Miami Heat who reached the NBA Finals before losing to the Lakers in six games. On November 25, 2020, Hill signed with the Hawks, who finished the 2020 season losing to the eventual NBA Champion the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, even winning a few games with huge comebacks.
The Hawks like Hill and signed him for another season just a few days ago on August 6th. According to the Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk, “Solo played a variety of roles for us last season and was always ready when his number was called. He’s an invaluable veteran who contributed to our success both on and off the floor, and we’re happy to bring him back.”
Josh Green – Dallas Mavericks
Josh Green just added an Olympic Bronze Medal to his award shelf, helping the 2020 Australia Men’s Basketball team win the Bronze Medal defeating Luka Doncic’s Slovenia team in the Bronze Medal game 107-93. Since the Olympics, Josh has returned from Tokyo to play on the Mavs’ NBA Summer League team.
TJ McConnell – Indiana Pacers
TJ McConnell is finally getting paid! He inked a deal with the pacers from $3.5 million a year for the last two seasons, to $35 million over the next four years, or $8.75 million a year. That’s a far cry from where he started out as a rookie for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers paid TJ half of a million dollars in his first season, and he now makes 17 times that on the Pacers in his seventh year in the NBA.
“That’s why this decision was so easy. This is the place that I want to be, and I’m very humbled, blessed, and happy to be here for the next four years, and hopefully for the rest of my career,” said TJ according to IndyStar.com. McConnell led the NBA with 128 steals and he was coming off the bench, can you imagine what he could do as a starter?
Lauri Markkanen – Chicago Bulls Restricted Free Agent
The former No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NBA, Lauri has been playing in Chicago that past couple of seasons, as the NBA veteran is looking to change things up.
Considering the Dallas Mavs, Minnesota T-Wolves, Boston Celtics, or New Orleans Pelicans, Markkanen has options, perhaps even returning to the Chicago Bulls, as the team that drafted him, extended a qualifying one-year, $9 million offer, making him a restricted free agent.
This past season, Lauri shot 40.2 percent from three-point-land, and 48 percent from two. He still has a ton left in the tank and has been completely overlooked in the NBA much like Ayton has been in Phoenix. Lauri needs a good solid team and a coach to be able to be noticed when he shines.
As of 8/12/2021, Lauri is weighing his options. Markkanen told Finnish journalist @AJ_Sipila he wants out of Chicago. “We have offers from several different teams. I want a fresh start to my NBA career somewhere else,” said the Finisher.
Zeke Nnaji – Denver Nuggets Evan Fiala of SB Nation wrote about Zeke Nnaji who is playing his second season in the NBA for the Nuggets and is currently starring with their NBA Summer League team. Fiala called Nnaji a diamond in the rough, “He has a high motor and high IQ, held more than his own on defense, is a gym rat and a high-character guy. He only played in 42 games, but his minutes were more than enough to see that the potential is there for him to carve out a solid role in the rotation for years to come.”
Justin Simon – Phoenix Suns, NBA Summer League Simon last played for the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) on a one-year deal and is currently playing for the Suns in Las Vegas hoping to land a spot. The Hawks were bought by a group led by former Philadelphia 76ers GM Bryan Colangelo.
Grant Jerrett – Detroit Pistons NBA Summer League Garrett last played for Darüşşafaka Tekfen (Istanbul Turkey). He has played in the NBA and for NBA G-League teams, as well as several teams overseas. He is staying active and still pursuing his dreams.
Kobi Jordan-Simmons – Portland Trailblazers NBA Summer League On Oct 20, 2019 – The Charlotte Hornets converted Kobi Simmons to a Two-Way contract with the Greensboro Swarm, 11 days later the Hornets released him. On January 27, 2021, Kobi returned to the Greensboro Swarm. He is currently with Portland in the NBA Summer League.
Kyle Fogg – Utah Jazz NBA Summer League Kyle Fogg played last season for the Liaoning Flying Leopards (China Basketball League). He has spent the last four years playing overseas in China, and three other teams around the world. Fogg also won the ‘The Basketball Tournament’ several times. However, now he sets his sites on the NBA as he is hoping to make a roster spot with the Utah Jazz.
Brandon Randolph – Milwaukee Bucks NBA Summer League Having bounced around a bit since his time with Arizona, Brandon is currently competing with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – Formally with the Portland Trailblazers is a Free Agent RHJ signed two 10-day contracts with the Blazers last season and finally signed on for the remainder of the 2020-2021 season. Rondae is one of the biggest names left on the list of NBA free agents along with Stanley Johnson, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Quinndary Weatherspoon, and Kostas Antetokounmpo.
Stanley Johnson – Formerly with Toronto Raptors just became a Free Agent (8/3/21) Stanley was traded to the Toronto Raptors along with former teammate Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. While RHJ changed teams, Toronto retained Johnson and the Raptors made the playoffs last season. The Stanimal scored a career high 35-points in a 102–114 loss to the Chicago Bulls on May 13th, 2021. He also scored a game-winning shot against the 76ers when playing in the bubble.
Allonzo Trier – Free Agent last played in the NBA G-League bubble for the Iowa Wolves After being waived by the New York Knicks when they got a new coach, Zo played well in the NBA G-League. Trier proved he belongs in the league, he’s just waiting for another opportunity.