When it rains, it pours.
Freshman men’s basketball forward Jeff Withey may transfer from the UA, according to multiple published reports.
The 6-foot-10, 210-pound freshman from San Diego did not attend practice in Bear Down Gym on Wednesday afternoon. His possible leave comes in the wake of Lute Olson’s retirement, the discovery of the coach’s stroke and the decommitment of three high school recruits.
Last season, when Olson took a season-long leave of absence, UA guard Nic Wise and forward Jamelle Horne contemplated transferring, but both ended up staying.
Horne said on media day – two days before Olson’s retirement – that his decision to stay was due in large part to Olson’s brief return.
“”I didn’t want to change schools and sit out a year,”” Horne said. “”I came to Arizona for a reason.””
Withey said on media day that he was OK with being heavily relied on as a freshman.
“”That’s why I chose Arizona, to come out here and play,”” Withey said. “”It helps me out confidence-wise. You get more familiar with everybody and feel better when you go out and play.””
Junior Jordan Hill, a center who has taken Withey under his wing, said the Wildcats would be relying heavily on the freshman this season.
“”This is a big step from high school to Arizona,”” Hill said. “”We’re going to need him. I tell him every practice is not going to be a good practice; you just have to go out there and work hard.””
If Withey does indeed depart from Arizona, the only member of the original Wildcat 2008-09 recruiting class left would be guard
Brendon Lavender.
Guard Brandon Jennings went to Europe to play professionally and forward Emmanuel Negedu left for Tennessee.
Guards Garland Judkins, Kyle Fogg and D.J. Shumpert were late additions to the team.