Oct. 30, 2009
TUCSON, Ariz. - Ten former University of Arizona men's basketball players were on active National Basketball Association rosters, as the league opened the 2009-10 season Tuesday.
The list of players includes Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards), Jerryd Bayless (Portland Trail Blazers), Mike Bibby (Atlanta Hawks), Chase Budinger (Houston Rockets), Channing Frye (Phoenix Suns), Jordan Hill (New York Knicks), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers), Richard Jefferson (San Antonio Spurs), Jason Terry (Dallas Mavericks) and Luke Walton (Los Angeles Lakers).
Arizona is tied for fifth nationally in terms of active NBA player production. Here is the complete list:
1. Duke 14
UCLA 14
2. Connecticut 13
North Carolina 13
5. ARIZONA 10
Kentucky 10
It marks the 10th consecutive season in which at least eight former Wildcats have opened the season on NBA rosters. In seven of those seasons the number was 10 or more.
Arizona's total helped the Pac-10 Conference tally 50 active NBA players, a figure that ranked third nationally. Additionally, the Pac-10's average of 5.0 alums per member institution topped all major conferences. Here is a look at the breakdown by league.
1. Big East 55
2. Atlantic Coast 53
3. Pac-10 50
4. Southeastern 40
5. Big 12 36
6. Big Ten 32
