They all came to Arizona for one reason: To return the Wildcats to prominence.
For all intents and purposes, the members of UA's senior class can say they’ve done their job. Arizona is nationally relevant again, winning 20 games again this season and looking to make another NCAA tournament run -- if the basketball gods see fit and the team continues to win.
It's not that UA fell off the map five years ago, but the program certainly seemed to be losing some luster. Figure that when Alex Jacobson first stepped foot onto Arizona’s campus to be a full-time student, Arizona coach Lute Olson was still the coach and Kevin O’Neill was the assistant. Month’s earlier, Arizona had just fallen in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Purdue.
A season later, Kyle Fogg and Brendon Lavender were brought in to help Mike Dunlap and Russ Pennell get the team back to the NCAA tournament -- and they did, as UA made an improbable run to the Sweet 16.
A year later, Dondre Wise, a transfer from Pima College, joined the program to play with his older brother, Nic, with a chance to learn from one of the best young coaches in the country in Sean Miller.
And then there’s Jesse Perry, the junior-college transfer who joined just to help in any way possible.
Miller has thanked all of them for their "loyalty to the program," because it was much appreciated. As Miller put it, it all came at a "time of uncertainty and change."
Pick a time in any of the last five years and he’d be right. Four coaching staffs. Four coaching styles. Plenty of ups and downs.
On Saturday, they'll play their final home game at McKale Center against UCLA. How they play in that game and at Arizona State next weekend may determine how long their careers last beyond the Pac-12 tournament in two weeks.
Until then, it's all about forging on and making the memories last.
"It’s been a great four years,’’ said Fogg, arguably Arizona’s most improved player in recent memory. "I wouldn’t trade it for anything."
Who could blame him? When his career is over, he will -- surprisingly -- be in the top 10 in more than a few categories at Arizona. He’s tied for second in games played at 133 with the likes of Sean Elliott, Anthony Cook and Channing Frye. He’s tied for seventh in games started at 113, and he’s 10th in minutes played at 3,603. And he's ninth in both 3-point attempts (451) and 3-pointers made (181).
“His statistics reveal one of the most consistent players at Arizona,’’ Miller said. "He was a key role player on the Sweet 16 team and a starter since. I don’t know if I’ve coached a player who has asked more of himself between last year and now. It’s good to see all that hard work pay off. He’s a great kid and will be somebody who is going to be really successful."
Perry has been that and more in a matter of two seemingly short years. If Derrick Williams was the star of last year’s Elite Eight run in the NCAA tournament, Perry was the perfect sidekick. Arizona went 19-6 when he started. He's started every game this season and has been the team’s toughest, most valuable rebounder. He has a chance to get a double-double every night; for the season, he’s averaging 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds.
"I don’t know if he could have done more than we’ve asked him at Arizona," Miller said. "He became a starter and improved as the year went on. He’s a reason why we had the success we had last year. We asked him to guard the biggest player. ...
"I’m proud of what he’s been able to do in two quick years."
For Perry, that time hasn't necessarily gone quickly. He stayed in Tucson each summer, working out and going to school, making it feel a bit stretched out.
"It’s definitely a good feeling to play my last game here," he said. "I definitely will miss McKale Center, the fans, the crowd, my teammates, the coaches. It’ll be emotional. I’ll play as hard as I can."
As will Lavender, who has come on strong and turned into one of the Pac-12's best pure shooters. He enters Saturday’s game leading the conference at 49 percent from the 3-point line.
That from a guy who many thought would leave the program when Miller first arrived because he just didn’t seem like a good fit. Lavender, however, never said he’d leave.
"I’m glad I stuck it out," he said. "There have been a lot of lows, but I’ve had some highs. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel, and things always pay off."
They did for Lavender, and Arizona was beneficiary. Had it not been for his sharp-shooting performance against Washington State (twice) and Oregon State this year, Arizona wouldn’t be in the position it’s in right now -- looking to finish strong in the conference race, improve on 20 wins and get back in the NCAA tournament.
"He had some big moments coming off the bench last year. but this year it’s been different (because) he’s been thrust into a bigger role," said Miller. "It’s one thing to have the opportunity and another to deliver and seize the opportunity. He’s a reason why we’ve been on the winning side (of a few games)."
In a way, so has Jacobson. When he hasn’t been sidelined with a severe lower-back problem, he’s been able to help the starting five in practice. And yes, he’s been able to get in a game or two. This season, he’s played just 18 minutes, two coming Thursday in UA’s win over USC. Yet, Miller said, Jacobson has never complained and "always came in with a great attitude."
"He helps us a great deal, practices hard every day," Miller said. “There’s no one more popular than (Jacobson). Everybody knows his heart is in the right place."
It certainly will be Saturday.
"It’s exciting, and at the same time it’ll be sad," Jacobson said of his final home game.
Jacobson said his back injury had kept him from moving at full speed until about the middle of this month.
"One day I could do jumping jacks and another I couldn’t get out of bed," Jacobson said. "It’s been an adventure. I’ve learned a lot of things. I’m happy that I came here."
As is Wise, who came to be with his brother and learn more about the game.
"Dondre comes from a basketball family ... basketball is in his blood," Miller said. “He’ll make a great coach. I have no doubt he’ll be successful as a coach."
