Arizona men’s basketball fifth year forward RJ Godfrey is confident he’ll win his battles in the legal courts and be able to suit up for the Wildcats on the hoops court.
Godfrey played his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons at Clemson and his junior year at Georgia before joining the Wildcats last month. He has since been practicing with them.
Godfrey said he was frustrated waiting on his eligibility during the summer and is a little bit anxious now.
“So as of now I don’t think it’s very frustrating because I think in my heart, I know that I’ll be able to play the season,” Godfrey said. “So just being able to have gratitude for the moment is allowing me just to have peace with the court stuff.”
Last year, he averaged 12 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists and shot 61.1% from the field.
Last week, the Georgia Court of Appeals issued a stay of Godfrey’s and the other players’ injunction making them ineligible at this time after courts previously indicated he would be able to play.
Godfrey is among the class of 2022 student-athletes seeking a fifth year after the NCAA adopted their “five-for-five” rule this season. The rule gives athletes a five-year window to play seasons but did not include the 2022 class.
“Inside, I had a strong opinion, like, ‘Man, everyone else gets five years,’” Godfrey said with a smile. “Inside, I was like, yeah well, I kind of had the feeling that with the right people around, I know that we can have the opportunity to play again. Obviously, opportunity’s here and it’s being blessed, I have a chance to win a national championship and do great things for the university, I’m just excited for that.”
Earlier in the summer, Godfrey got cross examined by the NCAA, which gave him mixed feelings.
“I felt like I was in a movie, like the first 30 seconds, my hands were like, ‘Oh man, I hope I don’t say nothing wrong,’ but it was very surreal, it was kind of cool too at the same time and I was like, ‘Man, I hope I’m never on this podium again, defending myself,’” Godfrey said. “It was cool. It was a nice little experience. But I’m definitely glad it’s over.”
Last week, Ismail Mahdi and Max Harris, who were seniors on the UA football team last year, got a temporary restraining order from the Pima County Superior Court.
“(UA head coach) Tommy (Lloyd) said it (Monday): we’re preparing like he’s our four man,” said sophomore forward Ivan Kharchenkov. “We’re just preparing and playing and if it’s no, then it’s no, if it’s yes, then it’s yes. We’re just trying to prepare and get better.”
Godfrey picked Arizona over Oklahoma, Arkansas and LSU.
He said it was a little awkward in the portal because some coaches thought he wouldn’t be eligible, but after Arizona was there through the process and recruited him multiple times, that the UA was a “perfect fit.”
“Arizona is a premium program, obviously, me being in college five years, playing against them, seeing what the fan base is all about battle all the history and everything,” Godfrey said in the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium surrounded by banners and Wildcat stars of yesteryear. “You look at the wall right here, some of those really good guys, something I want to be a part of.”
In 2024, No. 6 seed Clemson beat second seeded Arizona 77-72 in the Sweet 16
“Me and Moe (senior center Motiejus Krivas) actually went at it a couple times,” Godfrey said.
Krivas didn’t remember the matchups with Godfrey in Los Angeles but did say that the new Wildcat likes to recall the win.
“It’s not like I bring it up, I think it’s more like our strength coach, bring it up, like (Associate Head Coach Jack) Murphy likes to bring it up,” Godfrey said. “Coach (Associate Head Director Performance Enhancement Christopher) Rounds likes to bring it up, I just kind of expand on that statement they make, but it was a really fun time for me and the closest team we had, it was the furthest we ever made it as a Clemson basketball team and being able to play Arizona. That team is very tough.”
WILDCATS TREASURE EURO TRIP
After going 2-1 on their Lithuanian Summer Tour, the Wildcats deemed it a success.
After taking in the sights, the Wildcats lost to the Lithuania B Team 99-88 on Aug. 19, then on Aug. 20 beat Ukraine Senior National Team 107-85 and knocked off the Lithuanian National Team, 88-74 on Aug. 22.
“It was great, like from the basketball standpoint, playing against the national teams, growing up, you used to watch them and stuff and you get to beat them on the home floor for me, you know, so it’s definitely been a blessing,” said fifth year forward Ugnius Jarusevicius.
Krivas is from Siauliai, Lithuania and Jarusevicius, who transferred from Nebraska, is from Alytus, Lithuania.
“I’m glad that I could see my family and my friends,” Krivas said.
It wasn’t just a homecoming for the Lithuanian players a chance to play together before the semester started, it also gave the new look Wildcats like sophomore guard JJ Mandaquit, who transferred from Washington, time to bond.
“Yeah, it was amazing, obviously seeing Moe and Uggie in their home space and their element, and then really just learning more about the guys, when you travel abroad, you’re kind of forced to spend a lot of time together,” Mandaquit said. “So that was great.”
RED-BLUE ON DECK
On Sept. 26 the Red-Blue Showcase will feature an Adaptive Athletics Scrimmage at 2 p.m. the Red/Blue Game at 2:30 p.m. Then at 5 p.m. they will have an after party concert for all ages at Bear Down Field next to McKale and the football stadium.
Artists like Diplo, DJ Pauly D and Mix Master Mike are set to perform.
“I’m just excited to be on the floor again in front of McKale in front of all the people that support us everyday, it was exciting,” Kharchenkov said.
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