A new black-and-white mural honoring Lute Olson and Tommy Lloyd captures the deep connection between the Arizona Wildcats and the NBA this postseason. For Arizona fans, the playoffs once again provide plenty of familiar faces to follow, a reminder of how many Wildcats have moved on to pro roles as players and coaches.
One of the most obvious examples is the Golden State Warriors and coach Steve Kerr, a former Wildcat whose tenure included multiple championships. Injuries and an uneven season saw the Warriors exit early, and Kerr gave a sobering assessment about the nature of coaching runs after a season-ending loss to the Suns: “These jobs all have an expiration date. There’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that.”
Even with Golden State out of the mix, Arizona’s imprint on the playoffs remains sizable. There are seven former Wildcats with NBA ties this postseason, five of whom were active players in the playoffs, and several assistants with Arizona backgrounds serving on NBA staffs. Their roles range from starters chasing redemption to depth pieces and two-way players hoping for fuller opportunities.
Deandre Ayton is back in the playoff picture with the Lakers, trying to answer critics and make the most of a prominent spot on a title-contending roster. Ayton acknowledged the added pressure and excitement of the moment in a recent team interview: “I’ve been here before but I am truly excited. I want to do backflips. I’m in the purple and gold and I just want to play hard as hell and contribute to wins.”
Aaron Gordon’s availability is a key storyline for the Denver Nuggets. Known for his energy and selflessness, Gordon missed large chunks of the regular season with hamstring and calf issues but was cleared for the postseason after sitting out the final regular-season games. His coach emphasized the difference his presence makes: “When Aaron plays, we’re a very different basketball team.”
Zeke Nnaji remains a complementary big for Denver, providing short bursts of versatile frontcourt play behind Nikola Jokić. Nuggets staff praise his steady, confident approach: “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.”
San Antonio’s Carter Bryant has continued the development he began at Arizona, carving out a useful reserve role and even filling in as a small-ball center at times since being taken in the 2025 draft. Spurs teammates have noted his rapid progress: “He’s on a learning curve, but he’s very impressive. The progress he’s making, you can see it happen before our eyes.”
On the flip side, some former Wildcats are navigating two-way contracts and roster uncertainty. Caleb Love has been a surprise rookie contributor for Portland but remained on a two-way deal that would prevent postseason participation unless converted. He’s kept a level head about his situation: “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.”
Christian Koloko’s path has been interrupted by serious health issues in the past, and this season he bounced between teams and two-way deals before landing with Atlanta. When on the floor he’s earned praise for his defensive activity and rebounding: “He has been amazing. He is effective on defense, active hands rebounding, pulling over and contesting shots, making things difficult.”
Dalen Terry’s season was a roller coaster of trades and waivers before the Philadelphia 76ers signed him to a two-way contract and later converted it to a standard deal, making him playoff-eligible. Terry described the move as a fresh start and a welcome change of scenery: “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.”
The Wildcats’ coaching tree is visible across the league as well. Former Arizona players and assistants occupy NBA staff roles—from Luke Walton’s head-coaching stops and assistant posts to Matt Brase’s G League and NBA assistant experience. Jesse Mermuys has racked up assistant appointments and a G League head-coaching stint, and others who spent time on Arizona’s bench have gone on to roles with multiple NBA franchises or G League teams.
Between the mural honoring past Wildcats and the current crop of alumni competing and coaching at the highest level, Arizona fans have plenty to watch in this postseason. Whether players are chasing redemption, fighting for minutes, or making the leap from two-way to full roster spots, the Wildcats’ influence on the NBA remains significant and visible.
