Gardner Likes Arizona’s Young Guns

Jason Gardner walked past Will Bynum, Salim Stoudamire, Dennis Latimore, Channing Frye and Isaiah Fox posing for a picture before Arizona basketball practice and couldn’t resist.

“Freshmen,” he called out, teasing them.

They can only be glad they can call him junior. Gardner declared for the NBA draft last spring, but withdrew June 12 to return to Arizona--the only starter back from last season’s Final Four team.

“With all the experience, I understand what goes on now,” Gardner said after the pre-draft workouts showed him his game still needs to improve. “I’m getting more familiar with what happens on the offensive and defensive ends. All those things that the coaches are always telling you, after going through that, I understand a lot more of it.”

Gardner and forwards Rick Anderson and Luke Walton are the core of Arizona’s team, but they figure to be joined in the starting lineup by two freshmen--probably Stoudamire at guard and Fox at center, with guard Bynum forming a three-guard lineup at times.

Coach Lute Olson is thankful he has his point guard back after losing three underclassmen starters, Gilbert Arenas, Richard Jefferson and Michael Wright, to the draft.

“I think that whole thing was all of his buddies were suddenly leaving and he thought maybe that was the thing for him to do,” Olson said. “I do think the experience was good in terms of showing him, hey, if he’s going to play in the league, he’s got to get better at this, this and this.

“And Jason’s a team guy. It’s not like he’s going to be going off on his own to help him get where he wants to get. The best way to get there is to do a great job as a floor leader on the court, just as our point guards through the years have done. The pros are not looking for a guy who scores 30 points and can’t play with four other guys.”

Gardner says the five freshmen have convinced him Arizona won’t remain unranked for long.

“Mike Bibby was able to win a national championship his freshman year. I came in with Gilbert, and we made it to the second round of the tournament with four guys hurt. I think you can make it with freshmen.”

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A New Look

Lute Olson, left, and the national runner-up Arizona Wildcats will play five freshmen and return only one starter--guard Jason Gardner, right--from last year’s team. A look at Arizona’s probable starters:

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Player Pos. Comment Jason Gardner G Honorable mention All-American last season. Salim Stoudamire G Cousin of Blazer guard; Oregon’s 4A all-time leading scorer. Rick Anderson F Three-year reserve from Long Beach Poly. Luke Walton F Son of Hall of Famer becomes team’s elder statesman. Isaiah Fox C Impressive in early exhibition victory (18 pts., 11 reb.)

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