The 2021–22 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Arizona during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team led by Tommy Lloyd, in his 1st season as a head coach. This was the Wildcats' 48th season at the on-campus McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona and 43rd season as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. They finished with a record of 33–4, 18–2 in Pac-12 play to win the regular season & Pac-12 tournament championship. During the season, Arizona was invited and participated in the Roman Main Event in Paradise, Nevada. Arizona defeated Wichita State and Michigan to finish in a championship game. In the postseason, Arizona defeated Stanford, and Colorado and UCLA in the championship game of the 2022 Pac-12 Conference men's basketball tournament in Paradise, Nevada, in their 8th overall. The Wildcats were invited and participated in the 2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they defeated Wright State and TCU in San Diego, California but lost to Houston in San Antonio, TX in the Sweet Sixteen.
Previous season
The Wildcats finished the 2020–21 season 17–9, 11–9 in Pac-12 play to finish in fifth place. Due to a self-imposed one-year NCAA ban, the Wildcats did not participate in the Pac-12 tournament or the NCAA tournament.
On April 7, 2021, after 12 seasons and amid the continuing corruption scandal, the school fired head coach Sean Miller.
Offseason
Coaching changes
Miller was fired on April 7, 2021, citing the program has incredibly high standards to have success on and off the court. Following Sean Miller's departure from Arizona, Arizona hired longtime Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd.
Departures
Additions to staff
Transfers
Due to COVID-19, the NCAA ruled in October 2020 that the 2020–21 season would not count against the eligibility of any basketball player, thus giving all players the option to return in 2021–22. Additionally, any players who have declared for the 2021 NBA draft—including seniors, who must opt into this year's draft—have the option to return if they make a timely withdrawal from the draft and end any pre-draft relationships with agents. Thus, separate lists will initially be maintained for confirmed and potential departures.
Outgoing Transfers
Incoming Transfers
2021 recruiting class
Shane Nowell, originally from Sammamish, WA, was the first commit of the 2021 recruiting class. He verbally committed to Arizona on October 31, 2020, over rival Montana, Montana State, Oklahoma & Washington. Nowell was a consensus four-star prospect out of Eastside Catholic in Sammamish, WA.
Adama Bal, from Paris, FR, was the third commit of the 2021 recruiting class. He verbally committed to Arizona on May 11, 2021, over Colorado, Cincinnati, Georgia, Marquette, San Francisco and Saint Mary's. Bal is out of INSEP Paris, France.
On April 24, 2021, Will Reeves announced that he would join the Wildcats as a preferred walk-on during the fall as a forward. On June 14, 2021, Addison Arnold announced that he would join the Wildcats as a preferred walk-on during the fall as a guard. On June 24, 2021, Benjamin Ackerley announced that he would join the Wildcats as a preferred walk-on during the fall as a guard.
2022 recruiting class
2023 recruiting class
Personnel
Roster
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Source: On December 8, senior forward Kim Aiken Jr. was out due to an undisclosed personal issue. A timeline for his return to the court for the 2021–22 season was undetermined at the time. Since February 23, Aiken has not been listed on the Arizona basketball roster.
Preseason
Lute Olson Tribute
The University of Arizona & Men's basketball program held a public tribute at the McKale Center on September 12, 2021 for former head coach Lute Olson. The hall of fame coach spent 25 seasons at Arizona before retiring in 2008. Former players Steve Kerr, Jason Terry, Andre Iguodala & Matt Brase all spoke.