Arizona head coach Sean Miller and Arizona guard T.J. McConnell during the first half of the No. 3 UA vs. Oregon game on March 8, 2014, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. The Ducks knocked off Arizona 64-57.
Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star file
McConnell, who famously kissed the McKale Center floor during Senior Day and his Ring of Honor ceremony, went undrafted before playing in the NBA for 11 seasons.
G Nick Johnson (2011-12 to 2013-14)
In his first season at Arizona, the Gilbert native, who was an All-Pac-12 Freshman Team selection, averaged 8.9 points and 2.4 assists per game and shared time at shooting guard with Fogg. Johnson also handled point guard duties with Josiah Turner and Jordin Mayes.
Arizona failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in Johnson’s freshman season, but the Wildcats went to the Sweet 16 in 2013 and the Elite Eight in 2014. As a junior, Johnson averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game and received First Team All-Pac-12 honors, Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors, and was named Pac-12 Player of the Year. Johnson was also a first-team All-American before declaring for the NBA Draft following his junior season.
Aaron Gordon, shown reacting to a call in the Wildcats’ season-ending loss to Wisconsin in 2013-14, is on track for career earnings of $102 million by age 26.
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
At the time, Gordon was Miller’s highest-rated recruit to ever play for him at Arizona. Gordon was a two-time California Mr. Basketball winner, USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, a first-team Parade All-American and the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP before arriving in Tucson.
Rivals and 247Sports.com also listed Gordon as the third-best recruit nationally in 2013. Once Gordon got to Arizona, he was immediately installed as the starting small forward before Brandon Ashley suffered a season-ending foot injury, which shifted Gordon to starting power forward.
Gordon received first-team All-Pac-12 honors and was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2014. He finished his lone season at Arizona averaging 12.4 points and 8 rebounds per game before getting drafted No. 3 overall by the Orlando Magic.