Tucson Citizen.com

Posts Tagged ‘Daniel Bejarano’

Even if Sean Miller stays, Arizona’s recruiting in future will take hit

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

Arizona coach Sean Miller reportedly is one of Maryland's leading targets to replace Gary Williams (US Presswire photo/Chris Morrison)

Sean Miller has his family to think about.

Not his basketball family, and those expected to join the fray in the future, including Class of 2012 standout post player Grant Jerrett.

Born and raised in a close-knit family by influential parents — his father also a role model as a legendary high school coach in Pennsylvania — Miller considers mostly how close ones are impacted by his occupation.

Currently, he has a lot to consider.

Want to know how serious his wife, Amy Miller, is suffering from allergies in the Tucson desert?

Just read her Tweet from Wednesday (her account is @abballwidow): “An all new low…allergic to everything in the desert! Doc can’t believe it. Where can I hide?”

That was followed up by: “Maybe I can borrow spacesuit for protection … seriously if you see me in mask…don’t ask”

If you were in Miller’s shoes, what would you do?

Seriously listen to Maryland’s offer, showing your wife that her health is paramount? Or think of all the work you’ve done — the endless recruiting — to start rebuilding Arizona into the power Lute Olson solidified?

Do you think of your three boys, who are still young enough to handle another transplant, being closer to their grandparents in the East? Or do you think about your current players and even one who was informed his scholarship would not be renewed — Daniel Bejarano — because you are trying to get the right pieces in place at Arizona?

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Bejarano’s pending transfer reduces Arizona scholarship overload to one

Sunday, April 24th, 2011

Daniel Bejarano (shown here at the conclusion of his stellar Phoenix North career) could not crack Arizona's rotation as a freshman, playing in only eight games (Arizona Republic photo)

With the likely transfer of guard Daniel Bejarano this week from the Arizona basketball program, coach Sean Miller needs to address only one more scholarship spot.

The Wildcats currently have 13 scholarship spots filled if all four of their Class of 2011 recruits attend the UA starting this summer. Those recruits are point guard Josiah Turner, guard-wing Nick Johnson, power forward Sidiki Johnson and post player Angelo Chol.

Because of the UA’s self-imposed penalty in 2011-12, following alleged improprieties involved with the elite youth basketball tournament Cactus Classic toward the end of the Lute Olson era, Miller has only 12 scholarship spots next year, instead of the customary 13.

Bejarano’s likely transfer, Derrick Williams‘ decision to leave for the NBA after his sophomore season, and Jamelle Horne exhausting his eligibility means these nine current players are under scholarship (classification is for the 2011-12 season):

Guards (4): Kyle Fogg, Sr.; Lamont “MoMo” Jones, Jr.; Brendon Lavender, Sr.; and Jordin Mayes, Soph.

Forwards (3): Solomon Hill, Jr.; Kevin Parrom, Jr.; and Jesse Perry, Sr.

Centers (2): Alex Jacobson, Sr., and Kyryl Natyazhko, Jr.

To allow room for Turner, Nick Johnson, Sidiki Johnson and Chol, one of these nine scholarship spots must be relinquished.

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Mayes amazes crowd, plays to Miller’s expectations with big-city background

Sunday, October 24th, 2010

UA coach Sean Miller was not surprised about how poised Jordin Mayes played in the Red-Blue scrimmage because of his background (Screen shot/ArizonaWildcats.com)

Jordin Mayes might be a freshman in class standing but he has the savvy of a player much older with his winning background from inner-city high school Westchester in Los Angeles.

In Sunday’s Red-Blue scrimmage at McKale Center, Mayes exuded confidence from his facial expression to the way he took returning players MoMo Jones and Kyle Fogg off the dribble to the basket. Splitting time with the Red and Blue teams, Mayes tallied eight points on 2 of 4 shots from three-point range and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line. He had two assists, one turnover and one steal in 23 minutes.

On one fearless drive to the basket, Mayes drew a foul from Jones as he went up for the shot.

“Jordin impresses me more and more every day,” Jones said. “He’s somebody in particular that I can help, and he can also help me. We can feed off each other. To see that he has the confidence to do a lot of things with the ball on the court is great.”

The three newcomers — Mayes, forward Jesse Perry and shooting guard Daniel Bejarano — handled themselves well in their first public showing in Tucson. An estimated crowd of 10,657 at McKale Center watched the scrimmage, won by the Red 39-38.

More important than the outcome of a scrimmage for UA coach Sean Miller and his staff was seeing the effort of the players and their ability to work on directives from practice.

Mayes, Perry and Bejarano are obviously learning. Bejarano took four three-point attempts and made one to finish with three points, two rebounds and one assist. Although Bejarano struggled with his shot, his shooting stroke was impressive. Perry had nine points and nine rebounds. He went to the line four times, making three, showing his assertive play.

Playing assertive: That’s what Miller wants from his players and Perry and Mayes were unparalleled in that category Sunday. Miller has come to expect that from Perry, who has toiled at the junior-college level, and Mayes, with his big-city background.

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