Former Wildcats Bibby and Hunley are inducted into the Arizona Hall of Fame class, which is “an absolute honor.”

For generations of Arizona Wildcats fans, the names Mike Bibby and Ricky Hunley evoke vivid memories of greatness. Now, those memories have been cemented in history. The University of Arizona formally inducted both into its prestigious Arizona Hall of Fame, recognizing their indelible impact on their respective sports, the university community, and the broader athletic landscape. The 2025 Hall of Fame class was a celebration of legacy, grit, and Wildcat pride, with Bibby and Hunley at the heart of the emotional ceremony.

“It’s an absolute honor,” said Bibby, standing at the podium inside the Arizona Sands Club, surrounded by family, teammates, and generations of admirers. “To be remembered this way by the school that gave me so much—it’s humbling.”

Hunley echoed that sentiment. “I’ve always said, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat,” he said. “This isn’t just about me. This is about the people who shaped me, the community that believed in me, and the young athletes who’ll come after.”

A Tale of Two Legends

Though they played different sports and came decades apart, Mike Bibby and Ricky Hunley share more than just greatness—they share a blueprint for what it means to be a Wildcat.

Mike Bibby: The Maestro of March

Bibby’s name is etched into Arizona basketball history as the engine behind one of college basketball’s most iconic championship runs. As a freshman in the 1996–97 season, Bibby led the Wildcats to the 1997 NCAA National Championship, defeating three No. 1 seeds—Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky—en route to the title.

Playing under the legendary Lute Olson, Bibby was a floor general who blended poise with flair. His quick trigger, leadership, and clutch shot-making defined an era of Arizona basketball that inspired a generation of fans and athletes. He was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, an All-American, and the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Bibby’s time in Tucson may have lasted only two seasons, but the impact was eternal. He finished his collegiate career averaging 15.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.3 steals per game before being selected No. 2 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft.

“Coach Olson prepared us for everything—not just basketball,” Bibby said. “The championship was special, but what I take with me most is the brotherhood and the life lessons.”

Now 46, Bibby has returned to Tucson in recent years as a mentor and ambassador, regularly seen courtside at McKale Center, offering guidance to current players and remaining a beacon for the program.

“He’s family,” said Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd. “What he did for this program isn’t just in the banners—it’s in the culture. It’s the standard.”

Ricky Hunley: The Original Enforcer

Before Mike Bibby turned March Madness into a personal playground, Ricky Hunley was laying the foundation for Arizona’s rise in the college football ranks. A linebacker of historic proportions, Hunley was a two-time consensus All-American and the first African-American student-athlete in Arizona history to earn that distinction.

From 1980 to 1983, Hunley was a tackling machine—leading the Wildcats in total tackles for three straight years and finishing his career as the school’s all-time leader in tackles, a record that stood for decades. His combination of sideline-to-sideline speed, intelligence, and toughness made him the centerpiece of Arizona’s “Desert Swarm” defense before that term was even coined.

Hunley was drafted No. 7 overall in the 1984 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and later played in two Super Bowls. He became a symbol of grit and perseverance, both on and off the field, returning to the sport as a coach and mentor at the college and professional levels.

“Everything I am started right here,” Hunley said. “The University of Arizona didn’t just give me a helmet and a jersey—it gave me belief.”

Beyond football, Hunley has been a driving force for racial equity and student-athlete development, championing programs that empower young men to use sports as a launchpad for broader life goals.

“Ricky didn’t just hit people on the field,” joked former Wildcat coach Dick Tomey, “he hit home with his leadership.”

A Class to Remember

The 2025 Arizona Hall of Fame class wasn’t just about Bibby and Hunley, though their stories stood tallest. The class also included:

• Andrea Constand, a former Arizona women’s basketball player who went on to become a prominent advocate for survivors’ rights.
• Annika Sorenstam, who began her legendary golf career in Tucson.
• George Arias, one of the top hitters in Arizona baseball history.

Each inductee spoke of gratitude and the shared bond of wearing the block “A” on their chest.

“There’s something sacred about being a Wildcat,” said Arias. “It never leaves you.”

Bridging Generations

The Hall of Fame ceremony served as more than just a tribute—it was a moment of unity. Young players from Arizona’s current basketball and football teams attended, many meeting Bibby and Hunley for the first time.

“To shake Mike Bibby’s hand… that’s something I’ll remember forever,” said sophomore guard KJ Lewis. “He’s the reason I even knew Arizona before I got here.”

Hunley spent time with Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu, passing along stories and wisdom from his playing days. “He told me, ‘Play with your heart first, the rest will follow,’” Manu said. “That hit different coming from him.”

Community, Legacy, and Responsibility

For Bibby and Hunley, the induction wasn’t just about personal recognition—it was about legacy. Both spoke of using the honor to deepen their involvement with the university and community.

“I want to be present,” Bibby said. “I want these guys to know I’m here, not just as a name in the rafters but as someone they can lean on.”

Hunley, who has long been involved in charitable initiatives across Arizona, pledged to work more closely with university leadership on student development programs.

“I was given a second chance in life through this school,” he said. “I want to give others that same chance.”

University President Dr. Robert Robbins noted the significance of honoring former athletes who not only excelled but gave back. “Mike and Ricky represent the very best of what we want to instill in our current Wildcats—excellence, humility, and purpose.”

A Night to Remember

As the ceremony drew to a close, the crowd rose in unison, giving both men extended standing ovations. A tribute video showed career highlights—Bibby draining clutch threes in March, Hunley flying across the field like a missile in a navy-blue jersey.

“Man, that gave me chills,” Bibby whispered to his son, Mike Bibby Jr., who now coaches high school basketball in Arizona.

Hunley smiled as the crowd roared, his eyes misty. “It still feels like home.”

The night ended with the playing of the school fight song, as inductees and current student-athletes joined together in song.

“Every time I hear that,” Bibby said, “I’m 18 again, ready to go win a championship.”

Looking Ahead

Though the Hall of Fame honor serves as a crowning achievement, neither Bibby nor Hunley sees it as a final chapter. Both have expressed interest in being involved in Arizona athletics more directly—through mentoring, alumni relations, or advisory roles.

“There’s more to give,” Hunley said. “If my story can inspire the next great Wildcat, then I’ve done my job.”

Bibby hinted at perhaps one day joining the athletic department in an official capacity.

“We’ll see,” he said with a wink. “I’ve got some plays left in me—just not on the court.”

The Arizona Hall of Fame 2025 ceremony was a celebration of greatness, but more importantly, it was a reaffirmation of what it means to be a Wildcat. For Bibby and Hunley, the moment was about honoring the past, inspiring the present, and shaping the future.

“Hall of Fame?” Bibby said with a smile. “That sounds cool. But ‘Wildcat for life’—that’s the real prize.”

As the sun set on Tucson and the night gave way to cheers, laughter, and memories, two legends stood tall—not just in stature, but in legacy. And for the thousands who have cheered them on through the years, this wasn’t just an induction.

It was a homecoming.