The 25 best gamers in Arizona males’s basketball historical past

It may be argued that McCray, a Tucson native, was the primary true star to come back out of the Arizona program. Throughout his three seasons with the Wildcats through the late Fifties and on the daybreak of the ’60s, McCray averaged 17.8 factors (tied for seventh all-time in class historical past) and 10.8 rebounds (second all-time in class historical past). A member of the College of Arizona Athletics Corridor of Fame, McCray was the primary participant in program historical past to attain 500 factors in a season. He was additionally a two-time All-Border Convention choice.

When Fleming’s stellar four-season run at Arizona got here to an finish, he was this system’s all-time main scorer with 1,765 factors. Getting into the 2023-24 season, Fleming nonetheless resides within the prime 10 of that class, and stays the varsity’s profession chief with 1,190 rebounds and 63 double-doubles. As well as, Fleming ranks in Arizona’s basketball prime 10 for made discipline objectives (688), discipline objective proportion (58.3), made free throws (389) and common rebounds (10.4). In 2021, Fleming was inducted into the College of Arizona Athletics Ring of Honor.

Often called “Massive Fowl,” as a result of a 6-foot-10 body that made Elliott a moderately dominant pressure for the Wildcats. Within the annals of Arizona basketball, Elliott is the one participant to achieve the two,000-point mark and 1,000-rebound milestone. He sits second in each classes with 2,131 factors and 1,083 rebounds. Acknowledged as an All-American from numerous organizations, Elliott was additionally a three-time Educational All-American whereas starring for the Wildcats. Elliott additionally ranks among the many college’s profession prime 5 in scoring common (18.7 ppg), made discipline objectives (808), made free throws (515) and common rebounds (10.8).

It is nonetheless fairly exceptional that Kerr made 53.7 p.c of his 3-point makes an attempt (114-of-199) through the 1987-88 season — his closing one at Arizona and the varsity’s first that resulted in a Last 4 look. That was a nationwide single-season document, and etched his legacy of greatness that was established at Arizona. The 2-time, First Crew All-Pac-10 performer was a 54.8 p.c general shooter for his profession and earned second-team All-American standing from The Related Press throughout that stellar senior season. Kerr’s No. 25 was retired by the varsity.

Arguably the best participant within the historical past of the Arizona basketball program. A two-time All-American, Elliott is the Wildcats’ all-time chief with 2,555 factors spanning 4 seasons, throughout which he began all 133 video games performed. As well as, Elliott holds college information for profession made discipline objectives (892) and made free throws (623). He additionally ranks inside Arizona’s prime 10 in profession scoring common (19.2 ppg), 3-point field-goal proportion (42.8), minutes (4,499), rebounds (808) and video games began. A two-time Pac-10 Participant of the Yr, Elliott was named AP Participant of the Yr and winner of the Wood Award for the 1988-89 season, when he averaged 22.3 factors, 7.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Elliott’s No. 32 was retired by the varsity. 

Mills’ school profession received off to a tough begin. Following a strong 1988-89 freshman season at Kentucky, Mills was kicked off the workforce for his alleged involvement in receiving funds from a booster. Nevertheless, after sitting out the following season, Mills resurfaced at Arizona, the place he discovered a house for 3 seasons. He began all 94 video games he performed with the Wildcats and was a two-time, First Crew All-Pac-10 performer. Mills loved his finest collegiate season in his final, averaging a career-high 20.4 factors, plus 7.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, whereas incomes Pac-10 Participant of the Yr in 1992-93. He ranks among the many college’s prime 10 in profession scoring common (17.2 ppg) and made discipline objectives (615)

Reeves actually constructed his method as much as star standing throughout 4 splendid seasons with the Wildcats. When it was all mentioned and performed, the 6-1 Queens native totaled 1,925 factors, which rank fifth in class historical past. Reeves additionally ranks among the many college’s prime 10 in made discipline objectives (646), made 3-pointers (186), made free throws (447) and steals (187). His finest season got here as a senior in 1993-94, when he averaged profession highs of 24.2 factors (for a school-record 848 complete factors) and 4.3 rebounds, whereas additionally recording 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per sport to earn First Crew All-Pac-10 honors, consensus second-team All-American recognition and serving to the Wildcats attain the Last 4 for the second time.

A part of that stellar backup with the aforementioned Khalid Reeves, Stoudamire was a three-time, First Crew All-Pac-10 performer for the Wildcats. He is additionally proper behind Reeves on the varsity’s all-time scoring checklist with 1,849 factors. To not point out, Stoudamire sits third in class historical past with 272 made 3-pointers and throughout the all-time prime 10 for making 40.2 p.c of his 3-point makes an attempt. As well as, he is among the many program’s profession leaders in assists (663) and steals (174). In 1994-95, Stoudamire was the Pac-10 Participant of the Yr and a consensus All-American for averaging 22.8 factors, whereas making 46.5 p.c of his 3-point makes an attempt, with 7.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals.

School basketball followers of a sure age would possibly overlook that Dickerson was the main scorer on Arizona’s solely nationwide championship workforce from 1997, the one which shocked favored and defending champion Kentucky in extra time to win all of it. Dickerson averaged a career-high 18.9 factors. Over 4 seasons with the Wildcats, Dickerson posted 1,791 factors, which rank among the many college’s all-time prime 10. A two-time, First Crew All-Pac-10 choice, Dickerson was named a third-team All-American for the 1997-98 marketing campaign, throughout which he averaged 18.0 factors, whereas capturing 51.0 p.c from the sector, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Whereas Simon could be finest remembered for his two 30-point video games within the 1997 NCAA Match and incomes Most Excellent Gamers honors through the Wildcats’ run to the nationwide championship, he was a fairly established performer all through his 4 seasons at Arizona. For his profession, the 1998 consensus All-American totaled 1,664 factors, shot 46.3 p.c from the sector and 37.4 from past the arc. He additionally ranks among the many college’s prime 10 in profession made free throws (402). Simon’s No. 34 was retired by the varsity.

The son of former NBA star Henry Bibby wanted simply 69 collegiate video games — all begins — to construct his personal legacy at Arizona. Whereas serving to the Wildcats win their solely nationwide championship to conclude the 1996-97 season, Bibby averaged 13.5 factors whereas capturing 39.4 p.c from 3-point vary, and 5.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds and a pair of.2 steals to win Pac-10 Freshman of the Yr. The subsequent season, Bibby gained Pac-10 Participant of the Yr for averaging 17.2 factors and making 38.7 p.c of his 3-point makes an attempt, to associate with 5.7 assists and a pair of.4 steals per contest. The All-American’s No. 10 was retired by the varsity.

Terry proved to be a key reserve on a the 1996-97 nationwide championship workforce, however by the point he was a senior, he solidified himself as one of many greats in Arizona basketball historical past. As a senior in 1998-99, Terry averaged 21.9 factors, 5.5 assists, 3,3 rebounds and a pair of.8 steals — whereas additionally capturing 40 p.c from 3-point vary — en path to being named Pac-10 Participant of the Yr and a consensus first-team All-American. Terry is Arizona’s profession chief with 245 steals, and likewise ranks throughout the college’s prime 10 in made 3-pointers (193) and assists (493). Terry’s No. 31 was retired by this system.

Arizona’s most up-to-date journey to the Last 4 got here in 2001, and Arenas performed an enormous half in that run. After he averaged 15.4 factors and shot 45.3 p.c as a freshman, Arenas earned First Crew All-Pac-10 honors for averaging 16.2 factors whereas capturing 48 p.c from the sector and 41.6 p.c from past the arc, plus 3.6 rebounds and a pair of.3 assists, throughout his second and closing season with the Wildcats. Twice Arenas topped the 20-point mark (21 every time) throughout that particular 2001 NCAA Match.

Peruse the Arizona basketball document books and Gardner’s title will flip up very often. Spanning his sensible four-year school profession, which featured three First-Crew All-Pac-10 alternatives, Gardner ranks among the many college’s prime 5 in profession scoring (1,984), made 3-pointers (318), made free throws (516), assists (622) and steals (225). Gardner can be the varsity’s all-time chief in 3-point field-goal makes an attempt (875), video games began (135), minutes performed (4,825) and common minutes (35.5). A 3rd-team All-American in 2002 and consensus second-team All-American in 2003, Gardner’s No. 22 was retired by Arizona.

Luke could be the son of UCLA and NBA nice Invoice Walton, however he actually made his personal title whereas at Arizona. After spending his first two school seasons principally coming off the bench offering strong minutes and enjoying high quality protection, Walton was a First-Crew All-Pac-10 choice in every of his closing two years with the Wildcats. As a junior in 2001-02, Walton averaged profession highs of 15.7 factors on 47-percent capturing, with 7.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He presently ranks among the many college’s profession prime 10 in assists (582).

Iguodala’s stats over his two seasons at Arizona weren’t eye-popping, however when it comes to pure expertise, he is thought of probably the greatest to ever come out of this system. In his two seasons spanning 62 video games, Iguodala averaged simply 9.6 factors. Nevertheless, he was workforce MVP for the 2003-04 season, his final with the Wildcats, whereas averaging 12.9 factors, 8.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.6 steals and recording three double-doubles. As lively and well-rounded a participant as they got here, Iguodala was additionally acknowledged as a First-Crew Pac-10 performer and honorable point out All-American by The Related Press in his closing school marketing campaign.

Frye loved each particular person and workforce success whereas at Arizona. A member of two Elite Eight groups, Frye was twice named a First Crew All-Pac-10 performer (2004, ’05). That is after he being a part of the Pac-10 All-Freshman Crew in 2022. For his profession, Frye ranks among the many college’s prime 10 in scoring (1,789), made discipline objectives (707), discipline objective proportion (56.2), rebounds (975), blocks (258), video games began (119), minutes (3,686) and double-doubles (30). He recorded eight of these double-doubles throughout 12 NCAA Match contests.

Cousin of the aforementioned Damon Stoudamire, Salim loved a stellar four-year profession at Arizona. His 1,960 profession factors rank fourth in class historical past, and he is the Wildcats’ all-time chief with 342 made 3-pointers, whereas second at 45.8 p.c capturing from past the arc. As well as, Stoudamire ranks among the many Arizona prime 10 in made free throws (388), free throw proportion (87.0) and begins (109). The Pac-10 Freshman of the Yr in 2002, Stoudamire was a First Crew All-Pac-10 decide and consensus second-team All-American in 2004-05, when his shot within the closing seconds towards Oklahoma State despatched Arizona to the Elite Eight.

The Wildcats have produced some notable one-and-done performers worthy of incomes a spot on this checklist. Bayless will get our vote. In his solely collegiate season of 2007-08, Bayless averaged 19.7 factors on 45.8 p.c capturing from the sector and 40.7 p.c from past the 3-point arc. With that offensive effort, Bayless turned the primary Wildcats freshman since Sean Elliott to steer the workforce in scoring and earn MVP honors. Bayless additionally averaged 4.0 assists and nearly three rebounds per sport, plus 1.0 steals earlier than heading to the NBA.

Solely Sean Elliott (1,820) and Bob Elliott (1,701) have scored extra factors of their first three seasons at Arizona than Budinger, who totaled 1,697 throughout his three-year profession with the Wildcats. Budinger — who ranks among the many college’s all-time prime 10 in scoring common (17.0 ppg), made 3-pointers (190) and common minutes (35.4) — was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Yr in 2006-07, a third-team all-league decide the following season and First-Crew All-Pac-10 choice in his closing 2008-09 marketing campaign. The previous California Mr. Basketball shot 47 p.c from the sector for his profession and 38.3 p.c from 3-point vary.

Williams actually loved a excessive stage of success in simply two seasons at Arizona. He was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Yr in 2009-10, when he averaged 15.7 factors and seven.1 rebounds, whereas beginning all however one of many 31 video games he performed. A season later, Williams was even higher, averaging 19.5 factors, on 59.5-percent capturing, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists to be named Pac-10 Participant of the Yr and a consensus second-team All-American. Williams’ profession 17.8 scoring common is tied for seventh-best in class historical past, whereas his 58.6 discipline objective proportion ranks fourth. He was a two-time, First-Crew All-Pac-10 every season.

In three seasons at Arizona, Johnson received it performed at each ends of the ground. Nevertheless, he ought to go down as one of many nice defenders in class historical past. He was twice a member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive Crew, but in addition honored because the convention’s participant of the yr and a consensus All-American for the 2013-14 marketing campaign. That season, his final with the Wildcats, Johnson averaged 16.3 factors, 4.1 rebounds and a pair of.8 assists. For his school profession, Johnson totaled 1,333 factors, shot 36 p.c from 3-point vary, recorded 304 assists and 137 steals.

Exhausting-nosed, in your face, and able to give all of it for the trigger. McConnell’s school profession started in his native Pittsburgh at Duquesne, which was a fairly profitable two-year run. Nevertheless, after transferring to Arizona, McConnell’s nationwide notoriety rose to vital ranges. He began all 74 video games he performed in two seasons for the Wildcats, was twice named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Crew and earned honorable point out All-American recognition from the AP in his senior season of 2014-15. That season, McConnell averaged 10.4 factors, whereas capturing 49.8 p.c from the sector, and 6.3 assists, 3.8 boards and a pair of.2 steals for an Arizona squad that began 21-0 and reached the Elite Eight.

Ayton’s lone season at Arizona was really one thing particular. In 35 video games through the 2017-18 season, the 7’1″ Ayton averaged 20.1 factors, 11.6 rebounds 1.9 blocks and 1.6 assists to win Pac-12 Participant of the Yr, Pac-12 Freshman of the Yr and earn consensus All-American honors. Ayton’s 405 rebounds are a faculty document for a single season, whereas his 276 made discipline objectives are tied for essentially the most by any Wildcat throughout a one-year span. In the meantime, his 704 factors rank fifth for anyone season by an Arizona participant.

The potential for this Canadian marvel was there throughout his freshman season of 2020-21, however Mathurin elevated his sport to an All-American stage the following season, his final as a Wildcat. Mathurin averaged 17.7 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals to earn Pac-12 Participant of the Yr honors. That was ok for Mathurin to leap ship to the NBA. In two seasons, Mathurin put up some spectacular numbers, like capturing 45.6 p.c from the sector and 38.3 p.c from past the 3-point arc.