Even without Kerr and Warriors, Arizona Wildcats still have NBA playoff presence

One of the guys with a jersey on the McKale Center walls, Steve Kerr, coached the Golden State Warriors to four NBA titles and six NBA finals appearances from 2015 to 2022. But, in part because of injuries this season, the Warriors skidded out of the play-in tournament on Friday, their dynasty appearing to be nearing an end.

Toward the end of the Warriors’ season-ending 111-96 loss to the Suns on Friday, Kerr hugged longtime core players Steph Curry and Draymond Green, and afterward issued no guarantees about his own future.

“These jobs all have an expiration date,” Kerr said. “There’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that.”

While it wasn’t clear as of Saturday which way Kerr would go, the NBA playoffs moved on without Kerr and former Wildcat Bruce Fraser, his longtime assistant at Golden State.

Still, Arizona still has seven players, five of whom were active for the playoffs as of Saturday, that will be involved this postseason, plus five assistant coaches with UA ties.

PLAYERS

Deandre Ayton, Lakers center

Season at UA: 2017-18

Regular season 2025-26: 12.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 67.1 FG%, 72 starts/72 games

What’s happening: The former No. 1 draft pick is getting a chance at redemption in this year’s playoffs, having drawn criticism for his production on Portland teams that missed the postseason the past two years. His stats are down slightly on a team with Luka Doncic, but Doncic’s hamstring injury has put him in a more featured role.

He said it: “I’ve been here before but I am truly excited. I want to do backfilps. I’m in the purple and gold and I just want to play hard as hell and contribute to wins.” — Ayton, in a recent Laker interview video

Aaron Gordon, Nuggets forward 

Season at UA: 2013-14

Regular season 2025-26: 16.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 49.7 FG%, 33 starts/36 games

What’s happening: Known as “Mr. Nugget” for his gritty, selfless play and energy — and a guy you can even hear welcoming visitors via the Denver airport train speakers — the versatile Gordon was sidelined for more than half the season with hamstring and calf injuries. His health is considered a key to the Nuggets’ playoff potential but, after he sat out the final two regular-season games with a hamstring injury, Gordon was cleared for the playoffs.

He said it: “When Aaron plays, we’re a very different basketball team.” — Denver coach David Adelman, according to the Denver Post

Zeke Nnaji, Nuggets forward

Season at UA: 2019-20

Regular season 2025-26: 4.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 47.0 FG%, 4 starts/52 games

What’s happening: After playing for the Wildcats during the mostly forgotten season of 2019-20, Nnaji is in his sixth season as a backup big man for the Nuggets. He’s averaged only 12.0 minutes this season, playing mostly when needed due to injuries elsewhere, but has the versatility to complement star Nikola Jokic well when he’s on the floor.

He said it: “He’s just playing within himself. When you play within yourself and have a cockiness to you and how you play, then you’re in a really, really good spot as a professional basketball player.” — Adelman, in January, according to Denver Nuggets on SI

Carter Bryant, Spurs forward

Season at UA: 2024-25

Regular season 2025-26: 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 40.8 FG%, 0 starts/71 games

What’s happening: After improving in a key reserve role as Arizona’s 2024-25 season went on, then leaving to become the No. 14 player in the 2025 NBA Draft, Bryant has continued his development in the NBA. The versatile backup forward has even played some key minutes at center in a small-ball lineup.

He said it: “He's on a learning curve, but he's very impressive. The progress he's making, you can see it happen before our eyes.” — Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama, via the San Antonio Express-News

Caleb Love, Trail Blazers guard

Seasons at UA: 2023-24, 2024-25

Regular season 2025-26: 10.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 31.8 3FG%, 1 start/49 games

What’s happening: Called the NBA’s “most surprising rookie” by The Athletic in January, Love turned from an undrafted free agent last summer into a reliable reserve guard for the Trail Blazers, especially when needed in December and January because of injuries elsewhere on the roster. But as of Saturday, he was still on a two-way contract, having played 49 of 50 allowable games, so was ineligible for the playoffs unless converted to a standard NBA contract.

He said it: “I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunity. Until I get where I want to get — having my contract converted — I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But if I do get converted, it will definitely be a milestone that I’m going to be proud of, for sure.” — Love, to the Athletic in January

Christian Koloko, Hawks center

Seasons at UA: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22

Regular season 2025-26: 2.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 41.9 FG%, 4 starts/27 games

What’s happening: After a promising rookie season with the Toronto Raptors in 2022-23, Koloko missed all of 2023-24 with a respiratory-related blood clot condition, then played a reserve role in 37 games with the Lakers last season. But he bounced around this season, playing two games each with the Lakers and their G League affiliate, then played 11 games for the Grizzlies before he signed a two-way deal with the Hawks on Jan. 16. He has played an emergency role when teammates were hurt but as of Saturday, was still on a two-way deal and thus ineligible for the playoffs.

He said it: “He has been amazing. He is effective on defense, active hands rebounding, pulling over and contesting shots, making things difficult.” — Atlanta guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, on Koloko in January via the Hawks’ website

Dalen Terry, 76ers guard

Seasons at UA: 2020-21, 2021-22

Regular season: 3.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 36.4 3FG%, 0 starts/48 games

What’s happening: After spending 3½ seasons in Chicago, where he went as the No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Terry went through a midseason wringer this season. He was traded from the Bulls to the Knicks and then to the Pelicans, who waived him. Terry then signed a two-way deal with the Sixers, playing 14 regular-season games for them, and his contract was converted to a standard deal that made him eligible for the playoffs.

He said it: “Coming out of the draft, the 76ers was a team that I liked, and I believe that they loved me, too. … being in Chicago for a few years, opportunity there was slim, and I think I was just ready for a new start no matter where it was in the NBA.” — Terry, to Sixers Wire in February

COACHES

Luke Walton, Pistons lead assistant

At Arizona: Played from 1999-2000 through 2002-23

After Arizona: Has been head coach of Lakers and Kings; also an assistant with Cavaliers and Warriors.

Matt Brase, Sixers assistant

At Arizona: Played in 2003-04, 2004-05

After Arizona: Has been head coach of G League Rio Grande Valley and Rockets assistant.

Jesse Mermuys, Suns assistant

At Arizona: Was director of operations in 2007-08 and 2008-09

After Arizona: Has also been assistant for Nuggets, Rockets, Raptors, Lakers, Kings and Magic, plus the head coach of G League Raptors 905.

Riccardo Fois, Knicks assistant

At Arizona: Assistant coach in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24

After Arizona: Also was Kings assistant coach.

Bret Brielmaier, Magic assistant 

At Arizona: Played from 2004-05 to 2007-08

After Arizona: Has also been assistant for Spurs, Cavaliers and Nets, and the head coach of G League Long Island Nets.