Here’s a bold statement: One of college basketball’s most underrated players is flying under the radar, and it’s time we all paid attention. Jaden Bradley of the Arizona Wildcats is that player, and his story is one you won’t want to miss. Coming off a 24-13 season that ended in a Sweet Sixteen showdown against Duke, Arizona is at a crossroads. Tommy Lloyd’s fourth season in Tucson was a showcase of veteran talent, but now, many of the stars who made that team special—Caleb Love, Carter Bryant, KJ Lewis, and Henri Veesaar—are gone. Love graduated, Bryant was drafted 14th overall by the San Antonio Spurs, and Lewis and Veesaar transferred to Georgetown and North Carolina, respectively. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Arizona’s future as bright without these key players? Or is this the moment Jaden Bradley steps into the spotlight and proves the doubters wrong?
Bradley, a senior guard, is no stranger to hard work. Last season, he averaged 12.1 points per game and 1.8 steals, showcasing his defensive prowess in all 37 starts. His 46.7% field goal percentage and 32.1% three-point shooting make him a dual threat. Yet, this is the part most people miss: Bradley was inexplicably left off the Big 12’s preseason all-conference team, which featured 10 players—none from Arizona. With Love’s departure, Bradley is now the go-to guard, both defensively and offensively, alongside Harvard transfer Evan Nelson. Can he fill the void left by Love’s 17.2 points per game and clutch performances? It’s a question that has fans and analysts divided.
Lloyd’s fifth season also introduces talented freshmen like forward Koa Peat and guard Brayden Burries, who are expected to make an immediate impact. The Wildcats’ offense will heavily rely on Bradley, with Peat and Burries sliding into the starting lineup and Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas anchoring the front court. Arizona was picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 preseason poll, behind Houston, Texas Tech, and BYU, though they did snag one first-place vote. They also debuted at No. 13 in the AP Poll and are projected as a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament’s East bracket by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.
The season opens with a bang in Las Vegas, where Arizona faces the defending national champion Florida Gators in the Hall of Fame Series. And this is where the real test begins: Can Bradley and the Wildcats prove their preseason snub was a mistake? Or will they struggle to find their footing without last year’s stars?
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Is Jaden Bradley being overlooked because of Arizona’s roster turnover, or is the Big 12 preseason team simply undervaluing his potential? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and follow us on X (https://x.com/ArizonaOnSI) to stay updated on all things Wildcats. This season promises drama, growth, and plenty of debate—don’t miss it!
