Arizona sophomore forward Ira Lee will face internal discipline after being arrested for super-extreme DUI, coach Sean Miller said Monday, though the school has been looking first toward his well-being.
Right now our focus is to make sure that hes in a healthy environment and academically hes doing great, Miller said. Hes a part of everything that were doing on the court. Between our university and athletic department, when that time comes, there will be certainly some disciplinary action.
During preseason player interviews on Monday, the first time Miller and Lee have been available for comment since UA police arrested the player in the early morning hours of Aug. 19, Lee expressed gratitude toward Millers approach.
Its fair, Lee said. Everybody knows what I did, so Im accepting all responsibility. But at the same time, Im just focusing on school and basketball right now. Whenever the consequences come, they come.
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UA basketball players, from left, Devonaire Doutrive, Jake Desjardins and Matt Weyand have a laugh during impromptu player interviews during the teams Media Day on Monday at McKale Center. The Wildcats annual Red-Blue Game is less than two weeks away.
On top of whatever the school decides, Lee will face a minimum of three days in jail if convicted of super-extreme DUI (having a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 or more) and two days if convicted instead of extreme (0.15-0.20) DUI charges.
Lee is scheduled for an Oct. 19 case management hearing in Pima County Justice Court. Unless his case comes to a quick settlement or is delayed significantly, it is likely to play out at least in part during the season.
However, Lee said the timing hasnt been a consideration.
To be honest I havent even thought about that, he said. Ive been so locked into practice and my guys I havent really thought about that at all.
Arizona forward Ira Lee on what hes learned in the past month after getting cited for DUI: The whole experience made me stronger mentally. ... It made the team closer. They all rallied for me.
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
When posting an apology on Twitter on Aug. 23, Lee said his grandmother committed suicide a day before his arrest and that he was already emotionally unstable and dealing with different personal issues.
Lee declined to offer further detail on what he has been going through, but Miller said Lee has been hit with more in the last three or four months than a lot of people are going to be hit with in their entire lifetime.
Miller said hes found that even young people he loves and trusts can make one bad decision at some point in their lives.
In Iras case, he had a lot going on and he still does in his life, Miller said. Theres a lot of young people that wouldnt be able to persevere and handle everything that hes experienced over the last three or four months.
Its so much about helping him get through this and supporting him. Hes learned how hard it is to make a bad decision, and my hope is we can get him through this very difficult time.
Lee said hes become closer to Miller as a result of the experience and that honestly, I think its helped the whole team become closer in general.
Heeke says UA stands ready
Although Miller, former UA star Deandre Ayton and the school itself were named Monday as possible subjects that could come up in the first of three trials resulting from the FBIs investigation into college basketball Monday, athletic director Dave Heeke said hes received no contact from anyone involved with the case.
Absolutely nothing, Heeke said. We stand ready. We continue to investigate internally. We go through every aspect of this program that we can, and I feel as good today as I think anyone could feel.
In the course of trying to determine if there were potential conflicts with jurors, many others names and programs around college basketball were mentioned.
But when asked his reaction to being named, as well as whether off-court issues still hung over his program as a result of the investigation, Miller declined to comment.
Miller answered every question by referring back to his statement of a year ago, when he said he realized it was his responsibility to establish a culture of success on the court, in the classroom and in compliance and that he would continue to do so.
Jeter, Coleman named team captains
Miller hasnt normally named season-long captains publicly, but he said Monday that junior transfer Chase Jeter and grad transfer Justin Coleman would be captains.
The move is also unusual because neither Jeter nor Coleman has played a game for the Wildcats. But Jeter is a junior transfer from Duke who learned UAs system while sitting out last season, while Coleman is a fifth-year grad transfer who will also have the ball in his hands as a point guard when hes on the floor.
It was voted on by team and staff, Miller said. Theyve earned it and thats something were looking forward to their experience.
Arizona grad transfer PG Justin Coleman on his previous coaches and Sean Miller: Hes just real.
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
Coleman began his career at Alabama but transferred to Samford in 2016. He said he transferred from Alabama to be closer to his home in Birmingham, where his younger brother was battling cancer.
Luther breaks record
Miller also said grad forward Ryan Luther will bring leadership and experience, with the Pitt transfer already proving himself in the weight room by setting a new Miller-era bench-press record: Luther lifted 185 pounds 25 times.
Hes been through a lot, Miller said. Hes older, hes stronger. Were welcoming in a new player who can bring some things to the table, strength and experience.
Sean Miller on adding graduate transfers Ryan Luther and Justin Coleman:
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
Miller said he was also impressed with Emmanuel Akots 18 lifts of 185 pounds. A sophomore, Akot skipped his senior season of high school and played all of his freshman season at age 18.
Bench press is an exercise that favors the short-armed guy, so for him to have long arms and be as young as he is, shows you hes worked hard in the weight room, Miller said. That will serve him well.
Sophomore Brandon Randolph posted video last month of his 46.5-inch vertical leap, just a half-inch short of Nick Johnsons Miller-era record.
Nnaji lists UA in top 5
Minnesota four-star forward Zeke Nnaji put Arizona among his top five finalists, along with Baylor, Purdue, UCLA and Kansas. He is scheduled to visit Arizona for its Oct. 14 Red-Blue Game, according to PrepHoops.
