ARIZONA WILDCATS BASKETBALL

Sean Miller’s former Arizona players come to his defense amid FBI scandal

Feb 27, 2018, 12:29 PM

Arizona coach Sean Miller watches his team play Southern California during the first half of an NCA...

Arizona coach Sean Miller watches his team play Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (Kelly Presnell/Arizona Daily Star via AP)

(Kelly Presnell/Arizona Daily Star via AP)

As Arizona head coach Sean Miller’s name has reached the forefront of the college basketball recruiting scandal, former players have jumped to his defense.

On Feb. 23, it was reported that Miller was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing a payment of $100,000 for Arizona to earn a commitment from Deandre Ayton.

While the reactions of some stand against Miller, those who played for Miller have advocated for their former coach.

Aaron Gordon – forward (2013-14)

The only one-and-done on this list, Gordon played on the first of Sean Miller’s back-to-back Elite Eight teams. He was selected fourth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

“Sean Miller was nothing but great for me and especially the guys that were on that team: T.J. [McConnell], myself, Rondae [Hollis-Jefferson],” Gordon told the Orlando Sentinel’s Josh Robbins. “He was nothing but great — just upstanding, just a role model and a great coach, a great person.”

Kyle Fogg – guard (2008-12)

Fogg was not recruited by Sean Miller. He began his career in Arizona while Miller finished his last year at Xavier.

As a junior, Fogg was pivotal to Miller reaching his first Elite Eight with Arizona.

I could write a book filled with all of the valuable life lessons coach Sean Miller taught me throughout my time at Arizona. Instead I just want to share one thing. . . . During my career at Arizona coach Miller always had our back. He would make sure we were doing well on the court and in the class room, he would check in with our families, he would push us in practice, and he would make sure he always gave us his best effort. To me that’s standard. I had something to offer him. I would go out every day and give my all in games, push my teammates in practice, and do my best to help us win. Why wouldn’t he have my back? What isn’t standard is how he treats me now. I can’t practice, I can’t help him win games, I can’t help the younger players learn the ropes. Yet he still goes out of his way to support me. You learn a lot about someone by paying close attention to the way they treat you when you have nothing to offer them . . . Every summer I am welcomed back to Arizona with open arms. I have full access to the gym, managers, locker room, training staff, cold tub, EVERYTHING. Why would he do this? Because even though I have nothing to offer him, that’s the type of person Sean Miller is. The courtesy he shows me has been crucial in my rise as a pro. Take that a step further, when I asked him if he was interested in donating to my pencils of promise fundraiser, ( an organization that brings education to children in need ), he cut me off, “how much” he asked with a smile on his face. Coach Miller continues to support me in not only basketball, but in all aspects of my life, and things I am passionate about. Coach Miller treats all his players like this. The thing that speaks volumes to me, is that unlike most of the guys who played for coach miller, I wasn’t even one of his recruits . . . I will always support coach Miller and I am a wildcat for life. Don’t be someone who kicks a man when he is down or leaves him when he needs your support most. He is a great coach, husband, father, and person. I know the incredible wildcat fans will never give up on Arizona and will give coach Sean Miller the respect he deserves. #Beardown

A post shared by Kyle Fogg (@kfogg21) on

Gabe York – guard (2012-16)

York reached the Elite Eight twice with Miller. During his time with the Wildcats, York was one of the top sharpshooters in the Pac-12, averaging 41 percent from deep as an upperclassman.

T.J. McConnell – guard (2013-15)

After transferring from Duquesne, McConnell stepped into a starting guard spot and went 67-9 in two years at Arizona. A hard-nosed player, McConnell was key to the defensive success Arizona has had under Miller.

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 Wildcats basketball

Arizona...

Damon Allred

No. 20 Arizona dominant inside, gets revenge against No. 13 Texas Tech for lone conference loss

No. 20 Arizona men's basketball hit the paint hard in a show of physicality to beat No. 13 Texas Tech, avenging its lone loss in Big 12 play.

1 day ago

BYU guard Egor Demin (3) drives between Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) and forward Trey Townsend during...

Lance Hartzler

No. 20 Arizona clamps down late to seal win over BYU

The No. 20 Arizona and BYU men's basketball teams were in a fun one in Provo, Utah, Tuesday night.

5 days ago

The Arizona Wildcats and UConn Huskies are finalizing a home-and-home series...

Tyler Drake

Arizona and UConn finalizing home-and-home men’s basketball series

The Arizona Wildcats are reportedly finalizing an agreement with the UConn Huskies for a home-and-home series beginning in the 2025-26 season.

7 days ago

Arizona's Caleb Love after headbutt...

Lance Hartzler

Arizona’s Caleb Love named Big 12 Player of the Week

No. 12 Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love was named the Big 12 player of the week following his performances in wins over Iowa State and ASU.

7 days ago

Arizona still on outside of AP Top 25...

Associated Press

College basketball rankings: Arizona returns to AP top 25 after beating ASU

The Arizona Wildcats (15-6) on Monday returned to The Associated Press' top 25 men's basketball rankings for the first time since November.

7 days ago

Richard Jefferson...

Damon Allred

Former Wildcat Richard Jefferson claps back at Bobby Hurley for questioning Arizona’s class

Richard Jefferson didn't take too kindly to Bobby Hurley questioning Arizona's class after his ASU squad was beaten on Saturday.

8 days ago

Sean Miller’s former Arizona players come to his defense amid FBI scandal