Lavender's UA career coming full circle

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Last week, Arizona guard Brendon Lavender celebrated Senior Day. This weekend, he'll celebrate a a homecoming. A career as a Wildcat will have come full circle for the Phoenix native.

"I was a little emotional," Lavender said last weekend after playing his final home game. "It was a process and getting my mind to realize it was my last home game at McKale Center.

"I didn’t cry or anything like that, but I almost did. It was cool."

Who would have blamed him if he did? His story isn’t exactly a storybook one, but the former Mesa Mountain View star finds himself in a great situation as he prepares to close out his regular-season career Sunday in Tempe against Arizona State.

Emphasis on "regular-season career" because he -- like most Arizona coaches, players and fans -- hopes there will be life and games beyond the Pac-12 tournament next weekend. Why would he want to end this glorious ride that he’s been on throughout his senior season?

"I just hope we keep it going so we can make this season great," Lavender said.

All things considered, it’s been a pretty good year already for Arizona (21-9 overall, 13-5 in the Pac-12) and Lavender, arguably one of the best bench players in the conference.

What’s not arguable is that he’s one of the better shooters coming off the bench. Going into Sunday’s game with Arizona State, Lavender leads in the conference in 3-point percentage, hitting 50 percent of treys. That percentage is actually good enough to lead the country, but he’s not listed in the official statistics because he hasn’t shot enough to qualify. NCAA figures show players have to average at least 2.5 attempts a game. Lavender’s averaging 1.5 a game.

To some people, his percentage and overall numbers (45 for 90) may be a surprise. Not to Lavender -- he knows how he’s gotten here.

"I didn’t really surprise myself because of how I really handled the season," he said. "My goal was to improve every single day and not to listen to anyone outside of basketball. I didn’t read the newspapers or listen to the media."

He listened to coach Sean Miller and believed in himself. And he let his intestinal fortitude take over.

"For the first couple of years -- when you do that (listen to the media) -- it puts a lot of pressure on you," he said. "But I wanted to go out and have fun and have a focus to get better and show that it will all work out. And I did that. (People) have been able to see the outcome. I’m now one of the best 3-point shooters in the Pac-12 and in the country."

Lavender knew he was capable of it. It was all about opportunity. He showed signs in his second year, Miller’s first with UA, as he started eight games and averaged 16 minutes. Last year was an anomaly, as he played six fewer minutes per game, but he had an impact later in the season.

"Everything started picking up at the end of last season, and it fell (into place) this year," he said.

Lavender has been a positive influence for most -- if not all -- of the season.

It wasn't always a certainty that would happen -- even inside his 6-foot-5 frame. He doubted himself. Heck, almost everyone did.

"There have been a lot times I could have really given up," he said. "There were a lot of times I was down and there was no one to really lift me up. A lot of people didn’t believe in me. There were tough times. But I just told myself to go to practice and do what I could do. I told myself that if I was to get in the game to do your hardest and do your best."

He did and has. And although he’s averaging just 5.3 points a game, what the number doesn’t tell you is that he’s maximized his opportunities. He’s had career-best days twice this season, scoring 18 points in a big win over Oregon State and again in a win over Bryant. He later had 17 points against Washington State.

Patience paid off.

"I haven’t coached too many guys who have a better team-centered attitude than Brendon Lavender," Miller said in January. "He’s one of our hardest workers, one of our hardest practice players. ...

"I’ve never been around a guy that commits to the process like he does. Every day it’s the same thing."

Lavender said he appreciates Miller’s words.

"That feels great (to hear)," Lavender said. "It really does."

And the advice he would give to anyone in his position down the road?

"That you cannot ever give up," he said. "Even at the darkest moment of your life, you just can’t. You have to have faith. You learn every single day. You stay positive and it’ll work out."