Former Arizona Wildcat, and current San Antonio Spur, Richard Jefferson was inducted into the Pac-12 men’s basketball Hall of Honor representing the UA, the Pac-12 announced Tuesday.
Jefferson will join ten other former Wildcat standouts in the Hall of Honor, including Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Damon Stoudamire, Miles Simon, Mike Bibby and former head coach Lute Olson. Michael Dickerson was the UA representative for induction in 2011.
After playing under Olson for three years from 1999-2001, Jefferson’s athleticism and defensive prowess helped him to be drafted 13th overall by the Houston Rockets before being traded to the New Jersey Nets on draft day. The 6-foot-7 small forward is currently in his 11th season in the NBA — third with the San Antonio Spurs after playing six seasons in New Jersey and one for the Milwaukee Bucks.
In his career at Arizona, Jefferson played in 84 games in which he averaged 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. In 2001, he was a part of the Wildcats team that lost to Duke in the national championship game. In the 10-point defeat, Jefferson contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Other Pac-12 individuals inducted into the Hall of Honor include: Kurt Nimphius (Arizona State), Lamond Murray (Cal), Burdette Haldorson (Colorado), Jim Barnett (Oregon), A.C. Green (Oregon State), George Selleck (Stanford), Ed O’Bannon (UCLA), Sam Barry (USC), Arnie Ferrin (Utah), George Irvin (Washington) and Steve Puidokas (Washington State).
All inductees will be honored at the upcoming Pacific Life Pac-12 conference tournament.
