By
Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA junior joins Jefferson, declares for NBA Draft
For the second time in three days, the UA basketball team has lost a starter and team leader.
Junior forward Michael Wright, who led this year's team in rebounding and field-goal percentage, said yesterday he will forego his senior season to enter the NBA Draft.
Wright - who attended Farragut Academy in Chicago alongside current Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett - said the time was right to leave.
"I think we are all working towards the goal of being professionals, and I think this is my time to go after it with all my energies," Wright said in a press release. "I am grateful to the UA basketball program for helping me grow, on and off the court."
Wright joins fellow junior forward Richard Jefferson, who decided late Saturday night to enter the draft.
UA graduate assistant coach Josh Pastner said yesterday he was unclear whether Wright will leave Tucson, but did say that the junior's phone numbers have all been disconnected.
"We're sad to see him go, but Mike Wright has to do what's best for Mike Wright," Pastner said. "Over the weekend, Mike was able to talk to coaches and his family and decided that, ultimately, this is what he needed to do to further his basketball career."
Wright ends his UA career as the 11th-ranked Wildcat in all-time scoring (1,491), fifth in rebounds (832) and fifth in field-goal percentage (.575). In his three years as a Wildcat, Wright tallied 34 double-doubles, including a 10-point, 11-rebound NCAA Championship game against Duke.
Though Wright had seemingly disappeared offensively in tournament games against Illinois and Michigan State, Pastner said the junior is ready for the challenges of the professional ranks.
"The same concerns about him now will be the same in a year," Pastner said. "There's no doubt in my mind that he's 100 percent ready.
"With Mike, there are three things you've got to look at. First, he's not going to grow any taller. Secondly, is his stock going to improve? Probably not.
"Third, he's a great shooter, and he's a really hard worker. When the scouts see that, they'll be intrigued with his prospect."
Despite an ESPN.com report yesterday that said the junior is "a perfect college basketball power forward, but probably undersized for the position in the NBA," UA associate head coach Jim Rosborough said Wright's work ethic should make up for his 6-foot-7 frame when he works out for scouts.
"They'll see his size (as a drawback)," he said. "Nothing else. (Scouts) will find he is a kid who could step out on the floor. If he were 6-foot-10, he'd be the first kid taken. They'll ask, 'Can you guard Karl Malone, Rick Fox and other four men?' He guarded (UCLA center Dan) Gadzuric and (Stanford's Jarron and Jason) Collins.
"He needs to be a first-round kid, period."
Should Wright be drafted, his salary would ensure financial security for him and his mother, Rose Wright.
"I'm sure he has a chance to take care of he and his mom and his family," Pastner said. "That's important to him. (Although) he didn't bring that up, we knew the situation."
For now, Wright would only say that he will eventually return to Arizona - as a fan.
"Tucson was a different world for me to adjust to three years ago," said Wright. "Tucson took me into their hearts, and I leave Tucson as a better person. I will be back as a fan to always support the program."
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