Arizona Legislature declares April 9 ‘Arizona Wildcats Day’ after Final Four run

• The Arizona House of Representatives and state Senate declared April 9 as “Arizona Wildcats Day.”
• The state honored the UA men’s basketball team for its Final Four season and 36-win record.
• Coach Tommy Lloyd thanked state legislators for their support, calling them the team’s “biggest supporters.”

After soaking up appreciation from Tucson fans for their Final Four appearance last weekend, the Arizona Wildcats received some statewide love this week.

On Thursday, April 9, the Arizona House of Representatives and state Senate both proclaimed April 9, “Arizona Wildcats Day,” honoring the UA men’s basketball team for its Final Four season.

The Wildcats then attended a UA luncheon in Scottsdale where they met with fans and school officials, all celebrating their 36-win record, Big 12 title and NCAA Tournament achievements.

The Wildcats wore gray UA basketball polo shirts and rode a bus to Phoenix that morning, appearing first on the House of Representatives floor, where they were greeted with cheers and praise from Speaker Steve Montenegro.

“This year’s squad brought the magic back in a way that unified fans across the entire state in just a short period of time,” Montenegro said. “They have represented our university and our state with heart, with discipline and with class, both on and off the court.

“I know that everyone in this chamber, and especially Wildcat fans across Arizona, share my excitement that coach Lloyd and the team is here, and they are here to stay with his vision and the culture that he’s building.”

While saying that “you guys have got a lot more important work to take care of than honoring us,” Tommy Lloyd then thanked the legislators for their support.

“We understand that you guys are truly our biggest supporters, and we know there’s boosters, there’s businesses, all those things involved,” Lloyd said. “We also understand the state of Arizona is behind everything we do, and you guys are truly our biggest donors and our biggest supporters.

“So we thank you for everything. It’s an honor to represent you guys, and you’re right, Steve, this is just the beginning. We look forward to recreating this and doing this again, and without your support, that wouldn’t be possible.”

The Arizona Senate followed with a similar proclamation, noting the Wildcats’ Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, 36 wins and Final Four appearance — and “the national recognition it brings to our state.”

After the Senate proclamation, Senate President Warren Petersen asked Lloyd what the secret was behind why Arizona always had “awesome basketball teams.”

“I think it’s simple, because it’s something that was built before all of us came,” Lloyd said. “Coach (Fred) Snowden, coach (Lute) Olson, these guys did an amazing job building the foundation for a program that became a national program and had a ton of success.

“Coach (Sean) Miller continued to build on it. We’re fortunate for those that came before us, and we have an amazing tradition, history and a legacy.

“And we want to thank you guys, because to be honest with you, the government is our biggest supporter. We’re a state institution, and the investment you make in the University of Arizona allows us to do what we do. So we’re thankful for everyone that gets behind our program and supports it and helps us continue to build on this tradition and legacy.”

Rim shots

– Departing senior guard Jaden Bradley posted a formal thanks to UA coaches, players and fans on social media, announcing he is declaring for the NBA draft (regardless of any potential rule changes that might allow for more eligibility). “This journey has meant everything to me,” Bradley posted. “It (has) been a rollercoaster but I’ve grown, matured, and become a better man because of it.”

– Reports surfaced on April 9 that transferring Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad has canceled a planned visit to Arizona early next week. Three 247 staffers have posted predictions that he would pick Louisville, where he was scheduled to visit this weekend.