Josh Green, the latest exciting Australian basketball talent has committed to play with the University of Arizona.
He will become a Wildcat next year and move to Tucson, about a two hour drive south of Phoenix where he lived with his family and attended high school at the IMG Academy in Florida.
THE PROGRAM
First off, Arizona prides itself on being “a player’s program”, boasting an impressive alumni list that includes the likes of Steve Kerr, Mike Bibby and Richard Jefferson to name a few. Green will be stepping in to a greater community that fosters development beyond what will likely to be a “one and done” year.
Green will be coached by Sean Miller who took over the program in 2009. Under Miller, the Wildcats have had tremendous conference success, but haven’t been able to translate that into the NCAA tournament. The “Zona Zoo” will be hoping Green’s size and athleticism will play a key role in taking them to that next level.
Green will join Arizona native, and fellow 5-star point guard Nico Mannion in what is shaping up to be a resurgent draft class. Arizona is in a transition year, after losing all 5 starters to graduation and/or the NBA draft.
There will be opportunities at the guard position come 2019 with two experienced players in Justin Coleman and Dylan Smith forming the back court for this season. Given the nature of college hoops, it certainly will be a year on year analysis in terms of player retention, but this would had to have factored in for Miller’s sale of Arizona to Green.
NBA PROGRESSION
There aren’t many other schools that can boast the NBA talent that Arizona can. Currently there are 12 active players in the NBA that attended Arizona. Notables include Aaron Gordon, Lauri Markkanen, Andre Iguodala, and the most recent #1 draft pick – Deandre Ayton.
1997 NCAA Championship
A key recruiting piece for Miller is promoting an NBA readiness. There is great detail and investment put into ensuring everything from practice to game day runs like a professional operation.
To name a few examples, Arizona has a partnership with Nike to deliver premium equipment and gear for the team, handled by a full time equipment manager. The lights are dimmed in the arena to take out distraction for the players, especially when shooting. Perhaps the biggest reel in is the $80 million renovation to McKale centre and facilities that commenced in 2014. In his time there, Green will have all the tools in place to become elite.
THE CITY
Tucson, also known as the Old Pueblo, is very much a large “college town” situated in the Sonoran desert. Pretty much everyone here bleeds red and blue, creating a passionate fan that leads the conference year on year in attendance. Games are played out of the McKale Center with just under 15,000 capacity. Even the intra-club scrimmage is a sell-out, with major fast food chain McDonald’s jumping on as the sponsor.
A 5 star recruit these days is a celebrity in their own right, but Tucson is small enough without the distractions of a big city to foster a consummate professional. Another tick of approval will be the fact his parents are only two hours away, so the desert is not unfamiliar territory for Green.
Desert in Tucson, Arizona
AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION
There is are some Australian connections to Arizona too. The wildcats have visited Australia on a number of occasions, notably in the 1997 NCAA championship winning season. There have been a couple of players to feature for them, recently Keanu Pinder was a member of the Arizona squad, playing from 2016-2018.
Daniel Dillon also played there four years from 2004 to 2008, where he was named best defensive player. Coming the other direction, Terrance Ferguson, a 5 star wing recruit at the time de-committed from Arizona to come play for the Adelaide 36ers.
The current star guard for the Perth Wildcats, Bryce Cotton is from Tucson. On a more random note one former wildcat by the name of Matt Korcheck was recruited to play Australian Rules football by Carlton, entering the rookie draft in 2016 and playing in their VFL side. It’s no St. Mary’s but there is something there.
FBI PROBE
On a more serious note, Arizona has been caught up in ongoing FBI investigations over recruiting violations, of which Hoops fans will be well aware of. This investigation hampered the Wildcats’ 2018 recruiting efforts, making 2019 a key resurgent class for the school. This, if anything, opens up Green to take on a bigger role immediately in the 2019-20 season.
It will be interesting to see how this FBI probe progresses going forward. It hasn’t had any effect on Josh Green’s decision to commit, but it certainly weighed in on others. Notably Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shareef, de-committed from the Wildcats when the FBI probe began.
Rumours have floated that Brian Bowen of the Sydney Kings was offered $50,000 by Arizona. Time will tell if there was any wrong doing, and if penalties imposed affect our Australian.
“BEAR DOWN”
Having been recruited by Arizona for 3 years, Josh will be well aware of this expression. Bear down is the official motto of the school, and a colloquial phrase like that of “Roll Tide” for Alabama. It derives from a meaningful story you can google about if you have time, but essentially means to put your head down and give 100%. With the cloud of NCAA sanctions over Arizona, it only creates more spotlight which Green will have to handle.
After spending ten years in Arizona myself I feel somewhat qualified to say Tucson knows basketball. The Arizona program and it’s supporters are eager to return to former championship glory.
Embrace the challenge Josh Green and know that Australia is behind you!
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
