Gilbert Arenas, despite a troubled career of late, will have made around $160 million in salary when his current contract expires. Photo by Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

When Arizona’s Derrick Williams is selected in Thursday’s NBA Draft — with likely the No. 1 or No. 2 pick — it will start a new era for the Wildcats: He’ll be the first of Sean Miller’s recruits to move on to the next level.

But the meter is still running on Lute Olson’s former players … and that meter has passed three-quarters of a billion dollars in NBA salaries for the more than 30 ex-Cats who have (in many cases) gone from Lute to luxury.

Not counting money from endorsements, appearance fees, autograph shows, camps or any of that other stuff — strictly NBA salary — the grand total is approaching $770 million.

And that doesn’t include the very good living that several former Wildcats have made playing in leagues overseas.

There is still plenty of money on the books, too. Gilbert Arenas, now with the Orlando Magic, is still owed $62 million over the next three seasons, for example. The San Antonio Spurs are on the hook to Richard Jefferson for about $30 million over the next three years.

Andre Iguodala is in the middle of a six-year, $80 million contract. When that runs out after the 2013-14 season, he’ll be 30 years old — in line for another monster contract. In all, 11 former Wildcats were earning in the NBA last season. The meter is still running.

One day, it’s easy to see this all adding up to about $1 billion in NBA salaries for Olson’s players at Arizona.

Here is the breakdown (with current players in bold):

Sources: I have kept this database for several years, with the main source of information coming from the USA Today salary database and basketball-reference.com, as well as a variety of news stories and Tucson Citizen archives. The USA Today database and basketball-reference.com do not agree in all cases, but the differences are usually minor. Let me know in the comments section or at agimino (at) tucsoncitizen.com — if you see any corrections that need to be made.

Damon Stoudamire is part of the best backcourt in Arizona history, at least according to one ranking.

Palm Springs Desert Sun: Ex-Arizona coach John Mackovic writes that the man who succeeded him, Mike Stoops, is one of the top two candidates for Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

Wildaboutazcats.com: Ranking the top 10 backcourts in Arizona history. No. 1 on this list? Khalid Reeves and Damon Stoudamire.

NBA.com: Former Wildcat Andre Iguodala is known for his highlight dunks with the Philadelphia 76ers, but this story examines his defense and ranks as one of the league’s top two-way players. Says Sixers coach Eddie Jordan: “I call him ‘TCP.’ The complete package.”

USA Today: Ex-Cat Josh Pastner, the new head coach at Memphis, signed one of the nation’s top basketball classes this week.

Rivals.com: Ranking the Top 25 college basketball coaches. No. 1 is North Carolina’s Roy Williams, followed by Michigan Stats’ Tom Izzo and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski. Where does Sean Miller fall on the list?

Previous World Wide Wildcats:
Oct. 29

Anthony Gimino can be reached at anthonygimino (at) gmail.com