Arizona basketball: Wildcats in the NBA Power Rankings

Iggy still leading the way

The Arizona Wildcats basketball program annually churns out elite talent. From time to time we power rank the alumni in the NBA.

Here's how we see the former Wildcats stacking up against each other so far this season.

1. Andre Iguodala - Golden State Warriors

• Change from previous ranking: no change

• Season Stats: 7.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 49.7% FG

• Andre is to the Warriors what Santa is to Christmas. He always brings the good stuff and is indefatigable. Will he help put another World Championship under the Golden State tree?

2. Jerryd Bayless - Milwaukee Bucks

• Change from previous ranking: no change

• Season Stats: 11.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 42.5% FG

• Despite missing the current four game road trip due to a sprained ankle, Jerryd is having a career year. Good timing too, since he's in the final year of his two-year contract with the Bucks.

3. Jordan Hill - Indiana Pacers

• Change from previous ranking: +1

• Season Stats: 9.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 46.3% FG

• Jordan continues to be a high contributor for the 14-9 Pacers. He's not flashy and maybe has reached his maximum production, but Jordan is a critical ingredient in the Pacers pie. Since the last power ranking, Jordan has increased his field goal shooting percentage from 37.8%.
  

4. T.J. McConnell - Philadelphia 76ers

• Change from previous ranking: -1

• Season Stats: 7.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 46.3% FG

• T.J.'s assist numbers have dropped off, but his contribution to the team remains significant. The 76ers have only one win on the season, but it came against Kobe Bryant, so that's something. Completely made-up rumor has it that T.J. is moonlighting as Jahlil Okafor's bodyguard. At least, he should.

5. Derrick Williams - New York Knicks

• Change form previous ranking: +4

• Season Stats: 7.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.8 APG, 40.6% FG

• Since I ripped Derrick's anemic 3-point shooting in the last power ranking, he's been shooting 37.5% from long-range. It's doubtful that the Knicks will thank me, but they should.

6. Chase Budinger - Indiana Pacers

• Change from previous ranking: +6

• Season Stats: 5.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 40.4% FG

• Chase's role is expanding in Indiana, and so are his stats. All he needs to do now is start stringing together consistent performances.

7. Richard Jefferson - Cleveland Cavaliers

• Change form previous ranking: -1
  

• Season Stats: 6.9 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 44% FG

• It's not only amazing that Richard can still dunk, but that he can do so with explosiveness and savvy. At age 35, my creaky knees barely got me up the driveway.

8. Channing Frye - Orlando Magic

• Change from previous ranking: +2

• Season Stats: 5.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 0.8 APG, 41% FG

• Channing has moved into the starting lineup and played well enough to hang onto the starting forward spot, at least for a little while.

9. Stanley Johnson - Detroit Pistons

• Change from previous ranking:-1

• Season Stats: 7.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 36.6% FG

• Stanley's play has improved, but his shooting woes continue. 28% from long-range isn't getting it done. If current Arizona alums in the NBA competed in a game of H.O.R.S.E from outside the key, Stanley would be first out.

10. Aaron Gordon - Orlando Magic

• Change from previous ranking: -5

• Season Stats: 7.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 46.7% FG

• Aaron continues to have average production, but many of his minutes are coming in garbage time. His shooting percentage has improved, however. His opportunity to earn more playing time will come. The question is, can Aaron capitalize?

11. Jason Terry - Houston Rockets

• Change from previous ranking: no change

• Season Stats: 5.8 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 43.6% FG

• This season has shown steady production from The Jet, but his team is 12-14 and has already fired its coach. Greater emphasis is put on a wily vet like Terry to lead the locker room. Word is out that Dwight Howard is unhappy. Either the rest of the season will be a dumpster fire or Terry can bring the fellas together for a playoff push.
  

12. Solomon Hill - Indiana Pacers

• Change from previous ranking: +1

• Season Stats: 2.1 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 41.7% FG

• Despite playing more minutes (21 against Golden State in a 6 point, 9 rebound performance), Solomon remains buried on the Pacers bench.

Injured:

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - Brooklyn Nets

• One of the few bright spots on the Nets team went down with an ankle injury suffered in practice on December 5, 2015. He'll be out 8-10 weeks. Shimmy back into our lives (and the power rankings) soon, Rondae!

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