Harris still relishes '97 national title

But there is a part of Harris' basketball career that feels like it is still going: The 1997 season, when Arizona knocked off three No. 1 seeds en route to the NCAA basketball title.

Now working as a chef in Phoenix, Harris would not be allowed to forget the role he played on that team even if he tried. With starting center A.J. Bramlett in foul trouble during the championship game against Kentucky, Harris scored eight points, on 4-for-8 free-throw shooting, with seven rebounds off the bench.

"Every night when I go out somebody always says, ''97!, free throws! '97!' Harris said. "People who don't even know me. It's absolutely crazy. It's the greatest feeling in the world. I was blessed to be around the people that I'm around."

This weekend, Harris is getting a chance to be around them again. Arizona is holding a dinner to honor the 1997 Wildcats tonight at La Paloma and will hold the Lute Olson All-Star Classic game on Sunday at McKale Center.

In the past decade, the 1997 Wildcats have gone in many directions. Some, like Harris, are out of basketball and pursuing other passions. Some are NBA stars. Some are making comfortable careers playing in Europe.

Here is a brief look at where their life paths have taken them:

10 years later

John Ash

1997: Freshman walk-on guard from Tucson

Then: One of two UA players active for both 1997 and 2001 Final Fours (along with Eugene Edgerson)

Now: Commercial real estate executive

Personal: Living in Tucson

Mike Bibby

1997: Freshman starting point guard from Phoenix

Then: Vancouver Grizzlies (1998-2001), traded to Sacramento in 2001

Now: Starting point guard, Kings

Personal: Lives in Sacramento, Calif., and Phoenix; girlfriend Darcy, son Michael (10), daughter Janae (7) and daughter Mia (4)

A.J. Bramlett

1997: Sophomore starting center from Albuquerque

Then: Cleveland, CBA (1999-00), Spain (2000-2006), Latvia (2006-07)

Now: Playing in Riga, Latvia

Personal: Spends off-season in Tucson with wife Kirsty and son Daylen (2)

Bennett Davison

1997: Starting power forward from Sebastopol, Calif.

Then: Played nine years for various teams in Turkey, Australia, Slovenia, Italy and Croatia

Now: Free agent expecting to play in Europe again

Personal: Lives in Sacramento in off-season with wife Jenny and daughters Maja (4), Chiara (2), Talia (1 month)

Michael Dickerson

1997: Starting junior small forward from Seattle

Then: Houston Rockets (1998-99), Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies (1999-2003)

Now: Retired in 2003

Personal: Believed to be living in Spain

Eugene Edgerson

1997: Key freshman reserve forward from New Orleans

Then: NBA Development League (2001-2003), Harlem Globetrotters (2003-present)

Now: Harlem Globetrotters

Personal: Based in Tucson with wife Dunia and son Eugene (7)

Donnell Harris

1997: Key reserve forward from Salinas, Calif.

Then: Germany (1998-99), France (1999-01) but stopped playing because of knee trouble. Moved to Tucson in 2001, then Phoenix in 2002. Attended culinary school.

Now: Chef and energy drink promoter

Personal: Living in Phoenix. Will be junior varsity basketball coach next season in Aspen, Colo.

Ortege Jenkins

1997: Scholarship quarterback from Long Beach, Calif., attempted to play basketball. Suffered knee injury in preseason and did not play or practice rest of year

Then: Played briefly during 1997-98 season, then stuck to football

Now: Managing fitness club

Personal: Living in Southern California

Jason Lee

1997: Senior walk-on guard from Irvine, Calif.

Then: Real estate development, Los Angeles (1997-99), financial recruiting in New York (1999-2003), construction and TV production in Los Angeles (since 2003)

Now: Working production on skateboarding reality show for MTV

Personal: Living in Santa Monica, Calif.

Josh Pastner

1997: Freshman walk-on guard from Houston

Then: UA administrative aide and assistant coach

Now: UA assistant coach

Personal: Living in Tucson

Miles Simon

1997: Junior starting guard from Fullerton, Calif.

Then: Orlando Magic (1998-99), Israel (2000), Italy (2001), CBA Dakota (2001-02), Italy (2002), Dakota (2002-03), Venezuela (2003), Turkey (2004), Italy (2004)

Now: UA assistant coach (since 2005)

Personal: Living in Tucson; has daughter, Kiana (6)

Jason Stewart

1997: Sophomore walk-on guard from Gardena, Calif.

Then: Inspirational off-court leader for two more seasons

Now: Account executive

Personal: Living in Southern California

Quynn Tebbs

1997: Redshirt freshman guard from Salt Lake City

Then: Transferred to Weber State in 1998; played two seasons

Now: Insurance agent

Personal: Living in Salt Lake City with wife Ivy, son Carsyn (3) and another son expected to be born later this month

Jason Terry

1997: Key sophomore reserve guard from Seattle

Then: Drafted No. 10 overall in 1999, Atlanta Hawks (1999-2004)

Now: Dallas Mavericks (since 2004)

Family: Married with four daughters: Jasionna (9), Jalayah (6), Jaida (3), Jasa (2 months)

Justin Wessel

1997: Freshman redshirt forward from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Then: Played for Phoenix of ABA and Gary, Indiana, of CBA (2001-02), sports radio host and sales/marketing in Tucson (2002-05), sales/marketing in California

Now: Sales/marketing executive

Personal: Living in Encinitas, Calif., with wife Stefani Saragosa, a former UA volleyball player

Up next

• What: All-Star Classic game

• Where: McKale Center

• When: 1 p.m., Sunday