Wildcats’ Jeter approaching 100 percent

Forward still recovering from his back injury

Chase Jeter scored just one point over 17 minutes on Sunday against Chaminade, but his performance might have been as important as anyone’s to Arizona.

Through two exhibition games, it’s already clear the Wildcats have go-to scorers in Brandon Williams and Brandon Randolph, good depth along the wings and several options at point guard, led by grad transfer Justin Coleman.

But what they don’t know is how well their thin frontcourt will hold up this season, especially considering its collective injury history.

Jeter was limited as a Duke sophomore in 2016-17 because of a back injury, and coach Sean Miller says he had already missed a week and a half because of injury before appearing Sunday.

“He had some good moments,” Miller said after Sunday’s game. “But (Sunday) was more about just letting him play and getting him out there for the first time in a long time.”

Jeter is only one of only four Arizona players available for the two post spots, although former walk-on Jake DesJardins can also be used in a pinch, as he

was when Jeter missed Arizona’s first exhibition game against Western New Mexico.

The other three regular post players all have had past injuries, too: Ira Lee had a shoulder injury as a high school senior, Ryan Luther missed part of the past two seasons at Pitt with a foot injury, and Emmanuel Akot was limited last season in part because of knee tendinitis.

Miller said Jeter is “much closer” to becoming 100 percent, which is fortunate timing for Arizona. The Wildcats will open their regular season on Wednesday against Houston Baptist without Lee, who will be serving a onegame suspension after being arrested and charged with super extreme DUI in August.

Miller has said Jeter is the Wildcats’ starting center, though he came off the bench behind Lee at center Sunday. Jeter scored his one point off four free throws while missing his only field goal attempt, but had a team-high six rebounds and anchored the UA interior defense.

Arizona did not select Jeter to be interviewed afterward, but Miller said he was “itching” to get on the floor.

“When you miss that much time, it was just great for him to get out there for the first time,” Miller said. “He’s an excellent player. I wouldn’t judge him on tonight’s performance, whether it was good or bad, but it’s certainly more on his path to recover. I think when you get to Wednesday, assuming there’s no setbacks, you’ll see him maybe in his true form.”

With Jeter on the floor, Miller said: “He gives us size and all the things that come with it, a putback on an offensive rebound, somebody around the basket who can block the shot, (somebody) that’s harder to score against, you saw it even tonight in the limited role that he had. He’s also very fleet of foot. He’s quick. He’s smart, and for a guy 6-10 he can move. That’s something that we really count on defensively.”

Williams said he noticed how the defense was impacted with Jeter in the game.

Miller praises Coleman, Akot

Coleman finished with only three assists to two turnovers, but Miller noted that he also fired some pretty spot-on passes to teammates who missed their ensuing shot attempt.

As it was, Coleman assisted Williams on two first-half 3s and Randolph on a second-half 3.

“We’re very lucky to have him,” Miller said. “He has the right intentions out there. He’s out there to make everybody better, a lot like when Parker (JacksonCartwright) took the court.

“Justin’s very clever in getting his teammates shots and I think if you look closely at Brandon Williams and Brandon Randolph, a lot of their open threes came off of penetration or a great pass from Justin Coleman.”