Arizona Wildcats basketball's Ring of Honor criteria blasted amid T.J. McConnell omission

Former Arizona standout Bennedict Mathurin was recently inducted into the Arizona Wildcats' Ring of Honor.

But amid Mathurin's induction, a former Arizona legend, who is also a current college basketball coach, questioned the criteria for the honor because of the omission of one of Mathurin's current NBA teammates from the ring.

Damon Stoudamire, the coach at Georgia Tech, expressed his concerns with a post on social media, wondering why T.J. McConnell, who plays with Mathurin on the Indiana Pacers, wasn't in the ring of honor for the school.

"TJ McConnell needs to be in the ring of honor," he posted. "What’s the criteria? Heart and Soul of the 2 straight elite 8 teams! One of the underrated players to come through the program!"

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Criteria to make Arizona's Ring of Honor:

Stoudamire isn't alone in wondering why McConnell hasn't received that honor.

Why hasn't he?

Well, to receive that award, a player must meet one of certain criteria that McConnell hasn't met.

Those criteria are spelled out on the Arizona Wildcats' athletic site as:

• First Team All-America recognition by one or more of the major national organizations or media

• Major national "player of distinction", e.g. Heisman, Wooden, etc.; and/or national championship Most Valuable or Outstanding Player distinction

• Conference Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year; for football only - Pac-10/12 Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year

• Arizona Career leader in 3 or more major positive "career" categories at the conclusion of their collegiate career, must hold the career record for a minimum of 5 years (e.g., does not include single-game record(s), minutes played, etc.)

• 10+ years in the United States Major Professional Leagues of the NFL, NBA, WNBA and MLB and/or been selected as an All-Star/All Pro by the official league

• Olympic Medalist

• The individual has brought recognition, distinction and honor to the sports program. The following career statistics are considered – school, conference and national and/or national achievement, history, and impact.

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How T.J. McConnell can earn a spot in Arizona's Ring of Honor

During a standout 2-year career in Tucson (he had to redshirt his first season in 2012-13 after transferring from Duquesne) McConnell averaged 10.2 points per game, 5.4 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game and 3.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 49% from the field and being the "heart and soul" of the team."

But he didn't receive any of those awards that would have earned him a spot in the ring, or compile the stats requisite for entry.

McConnell could gain entry at the end of next season, however, should he continue to play in the NBA.

He is currently in his ninth season, so playing next season would give him the necessary 10 years in the NBA.

Mathurin was the 31st person to be enshrined into the Arizona Men's Basketball Ring of Honor, with Christian Koloko and Kenny Lofton set to be inducted later this year. Stoudamire was the eighth player to receive the honor.

Several players who only played one season at the school have been enshrined thanks to meeting some of the criteria for the award, including Aaron Gordon, Stanley Johnson, Jerryd Bayless, Deandre Ayton, Zeke Nnaji and Josh Green.

But McConnell has to wait to earn his spot.

More: Arizona Wildcats basketball's Ring of Honor criteria questioned after Josh Green induction

Social media questioned Arizona's Ring of Honor criteria:

Stoudamire wasn't the only person to question Arizona's criteria for the Ring of Honor amid McConnell's absence.

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Arizona Men's Basketball Ring of Honor Inductees

1. Bob Elliott, C, 1974-77

2. Steve Kerr, G, 1984-88

3. Sean Elliott, G/F, 1986-89

4. Jud Buechler, F, 1987-90

5. Sean Rooks, C, 1989-92

6. Chris Mills, F/G, 1991-93

7. Khalid Reeves, G, 1991-94

8. Damon Stoudamire, G, 1992-95

9. Miles Simon, G, 1995-98

10. Jason Terry, G, 1996-99

11. Mike Bibby, G, 1997-98

12. Michael Wright, F, 1999-2001

13. Richard Jefferson, F, 1999-2001

14. Jason Gardner, G, 2000-03

15. Luke Walton, F, 2000-03

16. Salim Stoudamire, G, 2002-05

17. Gilbert Arenas, G, 2000-01

18. Channing Frye, C, 2002-05

19. Chase Budinger, F, 2007-09

20. Derrick Williams, F, 2010-11

21. Andre Iguodala, F, 2003-04

22. Aaron Gordon, F, 2014

23. Nick Johnson, G, 2012-14

24. Stanley Johnson, G, 2015

25. Jerryd Bayless, G, 2008

26. Deandre Ayton, F, 2018

27. Al Fleming Jr., F, 1972-76

28. Ernie McCray, C, 1956-60

29. Zeke Nnaji, F, 2020

30. Josh Green, G, 2020

31. Bennedict Mathurin, G, 2021-22

32. Christian Koloko, C, 2020-22

33. Kenny Lofton, G, 1986-89

Do you think T.J. McConnell should be in Arizona's Ring of Honor now?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Wildcats' Ring of Honor criteria slammed: No T.J. McConnell?