CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Former UA guard Jason Terry shoots a jumper during the "Lute Olson All-Star Classic" on Sunday.

Sunday at McKale Center was supposed to be the Jason Gardner show, as the All-American beloved UA point guard was scheduled to have his jersey retired during a ceremony at the Lute Olson All-Star Classic.

But after word traveled that Gardner wouldn't be able to make the game ÷ ultimately postponing the ceremony until later in the season ÷ another former Wildcat backcourt star took advantage of an opportunity to be the star of the show.

"They got me for life," said former Wildcat guard and National Player of the Year Jason Terry after he ran circles around the rest of the participants ÷ for 38 points and 7 rebounds ÷ at Sunday's "classic." "I'm a Wildcat for life."

Terry's performance was another in a long line of events that suggest that he should be the one actually having his jersey retired this season, the 100th campaign in the history of the Arizona program. This is not to say that Gardner's famed No. 22 shouldn't be in the rafters as well, perhaps next to Terry's at the south end of McKale, but it's just too hard to pass over Terry, despite off-court scandal.

It was uncovered in 2000 that Terry took more than $11,000 from agents following his junior year at Arizona, and during his senior season.

UA officials forfeited the program's only game during the 1999 postseason, and repaid more than $45,000 to the NCAA after the allegations surfaced.

Terry has openly admitted that the charges were true, and in turn has donated more than $11,000 in return to the university and the NCAA. Terry has also hosted youth basketball camps in Tucson, and does annual benefits for the United Negro College Fund, and the NBA's Read to Achieve program. Terry's "All-Star showdown" event also raises money for college scholarships.

Brett Fera Sports Editor

Terry apparently set up a payment schedule in 2000 as well, with plans to repay the $45,463 his actions ultimately cost the school.

Terry's mistakes are still to this day inexcusable, but the punishment must fit the crime.

Considering his achievements both on and off the hardwood, not allowing his jersey to be retired is an unfair punishment for a mistake by someone who, at the time, was simply a misguided college kid playing a man's game.

His college legacy was solidified on the court when he helped lead the Wildcats to a National Title in 1997. It only got stronger when he followed that up by earning National Player-of-the-Year honors during his senior campaign in 1999.

He's managed to stake his claim among the big boys as well while spending the last four years with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, averaging more than 16 points and close to six assists per game.

But after Sunday, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that Jason Terry's jersey belongs near the rafters of McKale, next to those of Kerr, and Elliott, and eventually Gardner.

Terry reinvented himself among the fans Sunday as well, by jumping on the scorers' table after his introduction (a la the Wildcats 1997 Sweet 16 upset win over top-ranked Kansas), flinging his trademark headband into the crowd late in the game, and telling reporters how much he is still in love with Tucson and the university, even though the school fails to recognize his achievements appropriately.

It's hypocritical of the athletic department to chastise Terry for his mistakes, and ultimately bar him from seeing his jersey hung, but still use his name and likeness ÷ and NBA success ÷ to propel the basketball program's credibility even farther.

"I'll be back in Tucson," said Terry. "Like I said, it's my first home."

Perhaps best of all in this entire saga, are Terry's continuous plans to earn his bachelor's degree this school year ÷ from UA nonetheless ÷ and his hopes to walk in graduation come next May.

Terry is currently just 17 units shy of earning a degree in Family Studies, and has plans to finish up the units here in Tucson next summer.

Terry has paid his dues ÷ to his fans, and to the UA hoops program ÷ and it's time the UA fans and athletic department alike give him ÷ the man known in Tucson as "Socks" ÷ his due, by hanging his No. 31 from the rafters.