More than two decades removed from his illustrious career as a star for the Arizona Wildcats, Jason Terry is returning to his alma mater. The program announced Thursday he will be joining Sean Miller’s staff as an assistant coach, a move that had been in the works but stalled amid the university’s pandemic-spurred hiring freeze.

“We are excited to welcome Jason Terry, his wife, Johnyika, and their daughters to our program and the community,” Miller said in a statement. “Jason’s accomplishments as a player and champion are iconic in our sport, with so many of his incredible moments on the court taking place here at the University of Arizona. His basketball journey is one that so many players dream of, but he was able to make it a reality.”

Terry played four years for Arizona from 1995-1999 under the legendary tutelage of Lute Olson. He won a national championship with the Wildcats as a sophomore before going on to claim Pac-10 Player of the Year honors two years later as a senior, averaging 21.9 points and 5.5 assists per game.

His career year provided a launching pad to an enduring NBA career. He was selected 10th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He played on six different NBA teams in nearly two decades, winning an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks. He retired in 2018.

“Jason’s knowledge of the game along with his charisma and competitive spirit are qualities that will make him an exceptional coach,” Miller said. “He will impact and energize our current players as well as our recruiting efforts in a major way. We look forward to having back on our sideline in the McKale Center.”

Terry’s experience outside of playing is limited but he served as the Assistant GM of the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate, in 2019.