NBA stars gather at McKale Center
Just days after the New York Knicks selected Wildcat center Channing Frye and the Atlanta Hawks chose UA sharpshooter Salim Stoudamire in the NBA draft in Madison Square Garden, Tucson supplanted New York as the hotbed of NBA hoops – for one day, at least.
Current NBA stars Luke Walton, Richard Jefferson, Jason Terry, Mike Bibby and Andre Iguodala – who each graced the floor in McKale Center for at least two seasons over the past decade – took to Olson Court once again Friday afternoon in front of more than 1,000 fans as part of UA head coach Lute Olson’s high school skills camp.
Current Wildcats Chris Rodgers, Jesus Verdejo, Hassan Adams and Kirk Walters also joined in the action, spread over two different courts and flanked by prep stars on all sides.
While incoming freshman guard J.P. Prince also took part, the NBA showcase could be the firepower the Wildcats need to nab top recruits Jerryd Bayless of Phoenix and Brandon Jennings and Chase Budinger of Southern California.
Each of the three top-tier recruits were in attendance, with Bayless and Jennings taking part in the action. Budinger watched from the sidelines, but managed to hold a conversation with UA football head coach Mike Stoops in the meantime.
Frye signs two-year deal with Knicks
Channing Frye, the eighth overall pick in last week’s NBA draft, and Nate Robinson, the 21st overall selection, each signed guaranteed two-year deals with the New York Knicks last week.
Contract terms were not disclosed for the former UA center Frye and Washington guard Robinson, but the contracts include team options for third and fourth years if desired, under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. Frye is expected to receive approximately $4 million for his first two seasons, while Robinson will make about $2 million for his first two years.
Robinson was the first round selection of the Phoenix Suns, but was dealt by the Suns, along with guard/forward Quintin Richardson to the Knicks in exchange for center Kurt Thomas and second-round-draft-pick Dijon Thompson of UCLA.
The 6-foot-11, 250-pound Frye averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a senior last season, while the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Robinson scored 16.4 points and dished out 4.5 assists during his junior season with the Huskies.
UA pair up for top defensive back award
UA football players Darrell Brooks and Antoine Cason have been named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in the nation.
Brooks, a senior safety, returns for his fifth season with the Wildcats after leading the team in tackles a year ago with 73. Brooks, a returning team captain, was also named a finalist for the Ronnie Lott Award, given to the collegiate defensive player who has the greatest impact both on and off the field.
Cason, who made an immediate impact during his true freshman campaign last season, returns to the UA after leading the Wildcats with four interceptions and finishing second on the team in tackles to Brooks with 70.
Cason, Brooks, red-shirt sophomore cornerback Wilrey Fontenot and senior safety Lamon Means all return to the Wildcats’ defensive backfield, considered one of the UA squad’s strongest units.
Brooks and Cason were among five Pacific 10 Conference nominees, while Arizona is also one of seven teams, joining Alabama, Ohio State, West Virginia, Florida State, Miami and Texas, to have two players on the preseason list.
— Compiled from staff and wire reports