The University of Arizona Wildcats will have a player in a #0 jersey this season but it won’t be Gilbert Arenas. Freshman guard Jerryd Bayless hand picked #0 after the number he wore in high school (#32) was unavailable and retired from former NBA player Sean Elliot.
Unlike Arenas, who wore the number because he was projected to get 0 minutes in college, Bayless is projected to be a full time starter throughout his college career. Still, he is fully aware of Gilbert’s legacy and knows that there are high expectations as the new college Agent Zero.
Besides Elliot, the other Arizona jersey numbers retired include Mike Bibby and Steve Kerr.
Even though Arenas will likely be one of the top players to ever come out of Arizona, don’t expect to see his #0 hanging from the Wildcat rafters anytime soon. The Arizona athletic department guidelines say, “Only student-athletes who were recognized as national athletes of the year or received a major national ‘athlete of the year’ honor are eligible for their jersey to be retired.”
Perhaps we will see an Arenas #0 jersey in the rafters of an NBA area when all is said and done.
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This Is Just A Little Creepy | Gilbertology.net // May 13, 2008 at 8:50 am
[...] Remember back at the start of the year when we noted that Jerryd Bayless would be wearing #0 at the …, just like Gilbert? Well, it’s not the only thing that Jerryd seems to be have in common Gilbert. Just check out his scouting report on NBAdraft.net and tell me it isn’t Gilbert-esque: Strengths: In a word: special. Bayless combines incredible speed, quickness and athleticism with a high level of intelligence and composure … Winners mentality … He really excels on the offensive end of the floor with his scoring ability … Has an extra gear blowing by defenders with ease, and needs just an inch of daylight to get his jumpshot off … Excellent body strength for his age … He understands how to create shots for himself and has incredible leaping ability … Very strong offensively, great form on his shot … Plays with a high level of intensity … Good defender, team player. Has leadership ability … [...]
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