Former Arizona point guard TJ McConnell has a new home. The former Philadelphia 76ers guard has agreed to a new two-year deal with the Indiana Pacers worth $7 million it was reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Wednesday. McConnell spent his first four seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers playing in 314 games for the Eastern Conference squad.
He is averaging 6.4 points in his NBA career, but his abilities to run the point guard position have made him valuable in the league. He is averaging 4.7 assists throughout his NBA career and now he will have the chance to continue that making suddenly making him someone who will get the chance to play half a decade in the professional ranks.
McConnell became one of the fan favorites during his time at Arizona with his gritty style of play and the passion he exuded on the court. While Sean Miller might never actually say it, McConnell is certainly at the top of his list when it comes to the UA players he's coached. The Pittsburgh native made his way to UA after beginning his career at Duquesne eventually helping the Wildcats make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament during his two seasons on the floor for Arizona.
UA made it to the Elite Eight in each of his two seasons running the point guard spot for the Wildcats and he went on to sign with the 76ers as an undrafted free agent. He steadily worked himself into the rotation and became a solid piece to the team's bench over the last four years.
Now he gets a chance to continue his career and earn even more money at the NBA level with his new contract.
While McConnell struggled to gain a ton of buzz heading into the NBA Draft, Miller remained confident that his point guard would succeed should he be given the chance to become part of an organization and pro roster.
McConnell made a return to Tucson last summer to talk during a youth camp on Arizona's campus hosted by his former head coach as the two continue to share a close bond.
