ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Arizona’s T.J. McConnell ranked as country’s ninth-best point guard

Jun 10, 2013, 9:20 PM | Updated: 9:38 pm

T.J. McConnell has yet to put on an Arizona uniform in a game that counts, but his impact on the program is already being felt.

A transfer from Duquesne, McConnell sat out last season but is set to take over at point guard for the Wildcats, and folks in the Old Pueblo are pretty excited.

A “true” point guard, McConnell averaged 11.4 points and 5.5 assists per game in 2011-12, all while shooting nearly 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range.

Needless to say, the Wildcats figure to get a boost by inserting him into the lineup. After all, according to Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy, McConnell is the ninth-best point guard in the country.

Last season’s Wildcats had a terrific player at point guard, Mark Lyons, but not a terrific point guard. McConnell fits the mold better, and he should elevate the wealth of talent that will surround him. McConnell was averaging 5.5 assists when he last played at Duquesne. What’ll he manage when his teammates include perhaps four future NBA players?

Head coach Sean Miller has assembled what appears to be a very talented team in Tucson, and the hope is McConnell will be just the guy to lead it.

McConnell has two years of eligibility remaining.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Basketball

Tyon Grant-Foster backs down a defender...

Arizona Sports

GCU’s Tyon Grant-Foster, 2 Arizona Wildcats invited to 2024 NBA Draft Combine

GCU's Tyon Grant-Foster and Arizona's Pelle Larsson and Keshad Johnson were among the prospects invited Friday to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine.

4 hours ago

Caleb Love...

Kevin Zimmerman

Caleb Love left off early entry list, 3 other Arizona Wildcats eligible for 2024 NBA Draft

Pelle Larsson, K.J. Lewis and Jaden Bradley were the Arizona players on the early entry list for the 2024 NBA Draft. Caleb Love was not.

3 days ago

Tobe Awaka #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers...

Arizona Sports

Tennessee big man transfer Tobe Awaka lands with Arizona

The Arizona Wildcats are adding former Tennessee big man Tobe Awaka through the transfer portal, he told On3's Joe Tipton.

4 days ago

Dennis Evans...

Arizona Sports

Grand Canyon basketball lands Louisville transfer, former 4-star recruit Dennis Evans

Dennis Evans, a 7-foot transfer from Louisville, announced his commitment to Grand Canyon men's basketball on social media Friday.

7 days ago

Trey Townsend of Oakland...

Arizona Sports

Trey Townsend transfers to Arizona after NCAA Tournament run with Oakland

Trey Townsend will transfer from Oakland to Arizona. His commitment fills a hole at power forward for the Wildcats.

9 days ago

Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis dribbles up the court...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis testing NBA Draft waters, will maintain college eligibility

Wildcats guard KJ Lewis announced Tuesday that he is going through the NBA Draft process while still maintaining his college eligibility.

10 days ago

Arizona’s T.J. McConnell ranked as country’s ninth-best point guard