Arizona legend Richard Jefferson explains why he’s a ‘big Sean Miller guy’

Working as an analyst on Pac-12 Network, former Arizona Wildcats standout Richard Jefferson made it clear where he stands on Sean Miller as he enters the final year of his contract.

“I’m a Sean Miller guy,” Jefferson said.

The broadcast then flashed to this graphic that shows that Arizona has led the Pac-12 in wins, conference wins, NCAA Tournament appearances, Sweet Sixteens and Elite Eights during Miller’s 12 seasons (while also being second to UCLA in draft picks).

“And this is just the Pac-12 ranking,” Jefferson added. “If you were to put him nationally with other coaches and other programs, he would probably be top five, top seven. Coaches like that don’t grow on trees. And so I’m a big Sean Miller guy and I hope that they can turn this around and get going in the future.”

Jefferson also said he thought Miller, despite Arizona’s self-imposed postseason ban, “did one of his best coaching jobs this year with the talent that he had and getting all of those players to buy in and really contribute.”

Jefferson’s opinion matters because he knows as well as anyone what the standards are for Arizona basketball. He played for Lute Olson and helped lead the program to the national championship game in 2001. He’s also the guy who donated millions of dollars to help the UA erect the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium, Arizona’s state-of-the-art practice facility, so you know he cares about his alma mater. (Remember that time he tried to recruit Ziaire Williams and Jalen Green to Arizona during an ESPN broadcast?)

Here’s the full clip of Jefferson’s comments on the Pac-12 Network if you want to watch it. He also explained why he agrees with Arizona self-imposing a postseason ban. Hat tip to reader BearDownCali for bringing the segment to my attention: