By
Chris Martin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wright to battle against Dream Team III
The biggest question mark of the Arizona men's basketball season was answered this weekend, well before the first whistle of the season was even blown.
Senior center Loren Woods was cleared to practice and was said to be 100 percent, according to UA associated head coach Jim Rosbrough.
"Our trainer and team doctor have notified us that he is at full speed," he said.
Woods will have to regain the weight he had lost as a result of two back surgeries performed in May to repair a compression injury to the disc in his back between the 12th thoracic and first lumbar vertebrae.
Woods had lost close to 60 pounds off his 251 pound frame.
"I think he is probably in the 235 (pounds) range," Rosbrough said. "I think he will probably start practice at about 250. (Woods' weight) is absolutely coming back like crazy."
A healthy Woods will be a key factor in the Wildcats' run at a national championship.
"He looks great, even working out with the weights and basketball, he looks great," graduate assistant coach Josh Pastner said. "It is almost a new Loren."
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The Arizona program also achieved a first in the 25-year history of the John R. Wooden Award as all five starters were named to the preseason top-50 list.
Sophomore point guard Jason Gardner, Woods, and junior forward Michael Wright were all in the top-25 and were named to the Wooden preseason All-American team.
Sophomore shooting guard Gilbert Arenas and junior small forward Richard Jefferson were a part of the second 25.
"That is a testament to the players," Rosbrough said. "I think we have an awfully good team. You look at our top-10 right now and it's absolutely loaded."
Arizona, likely predicted to be among the top two teams in the country when the preseason polls come out, beat out Duke for the most players ever selected in one year.
The Blue Devils had four players - Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy, Jr. - selected this season.
"To say you have five guys on it is a testament to the program and the players as well," Pastner said.
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Wright also received another accolade, having been selected to the USA Basketball Select Team.
The team, comprised of 12 of the top collegiate basketball players in the country, will be coached by St. John's University head coach Mike Jarvis.
The USA Basketball Select Team will practice and play against the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team, which is comprised of many of the top NBA players including Kevin Garnett and Vince Carter.
The USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team will use the competition as a warm-up to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia
"It's unbelievable - talk about a great accomplishment," Pastner said. "It is just remarkable for Michael and is a testament to his work ethic."
Wright will travel to Maui, Hawaii on Aug. 27 and play against the USA Basketball Senior National Team until Sept. 2.
"Michael wants to be an NBA player and will be someday, and this helps along those lines," Rosbrough said. "These will be the best players in the world and he will get a great experience. It will be an incredible experience."
