Stars and seniors: Arizona Wildcats leave behind memorable careers after falling in NCAA Tournament

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

BOISE, Idaho — The Wildcats embraced the Arizona-versus-everybody mentality heading into the NCAA Tournament, and the team seemed to be carrying a now-or-never vibe.

At least it felt that way, considering the Wildcats are losing six players from this year's team and it could be quite some time before the UA has a roster loaded with so much individual talent. 

Coach Sean Miller announced on Senior Day that Deandre Ayton, Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier would take their talents to the next level, while Dusan Ristic, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Keanu Pinder are all graduating.

While the UA returns Ira Lee, Emmanuel Akot, Dylan Smith, Brandon Randolph, Alex Barcello and Duke transfer Chase Jeter, the Wildcats don't have a single commit in the 2018 recruiting class after Brandon Williams and Shareef O'Neal decommitted amid the program's involvement in the corruption probe that's under FBI investigation.

The future is murky, but the past has been memorable. Take a look at how the six Wildcats riding off into the sunset performed in Tucson.

Year: Freshman

Position: Power forward

Height: 7-foot-1

Weight: 260 pounds 

Career averages: 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks

Accolades: Pac-12 Player of the Year, Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-Pac-12, All-Pac-12 Freshman Team, All-Pac-12 Defensive Team, All-Pac-12 Tournament Team, Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Highlights: 

Year: Junior

Position: Shooting guard

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 205 pounds 

Career averages: 16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists

Accolades: First-Team All-Pac-12 (2018), All-Pac-12 Freshman Team (2016), Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2017), All-Pac-12 Tournament Team (2017) 

Highlights: 

Year: Senior

Position: Center

Height: 7-foot

Weight: 245 pounds 

Career averages: 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds

Accolades: All-Pac-12 Second Team (2018), All-Pac-12 Tournament Team (2018), Pac-12 Player of the Week (Jan. 29, 2018)

Highlights: 

Year: Senior

Position: Point guard

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 170 pounds 

Career averages: 5.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2 rebounds 

Highlights:

Year: Sophomore

Position: Shooting guard, small forward

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 220 pounds 

Career averages: 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists

Accolades: All-Pac-12 Freshman Team (2017), All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (2018), Pac-12 Play of the Year (2018)

Highlights:

Year: Senior

Position: Power forward

Height: 6-foot-9

Weight: 220 pounds 

Career averages: 2.3 points, 2.5 rebounds

Highlights:

Keanu Pinder just stole a man's soul! pic.twitter.com/1WgOLlXDMl

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) January 13, 2018

The Pride of Perth (Keanu Pinder) showing off his deft touch under the hoop. #USCvsAZ #Aussie pic.twitter.com/TOAKiUQVC3

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) February 11, 2018