Ex-Cats are back: NBA stars coaching at Lute Olson's elite camp,  Luke Walton: 'We love it out here',  STEVE RIVERA  Tucson Citizen 
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For ex-Arizona Wildcat Luke Walton, the fit in Los Angeles is good.
But that doesn't mean he isn't listening to offers from other NBA teams.
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"With Phil (Jackson) coming back, I'd definitely love to play for him again," Walton said. "But I'm definitely going to go out and see what teams are interested."
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Walton, a restricted free agent, has spent his first two years in the NBA with the Lakers.
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Former UA teammate and friend Richard Jefferson thinks Walton should stay put, saying he's a good fit with Jackson returning to the Lakers as head coach after sitting out last season.
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Walton played well in Jackson's triangle offense.
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"But I think more teams like him, too," said Jefferson, who finished his fourth season with the Nets. "What he brings to the table as a backup (forward) and his knowledge of the game ... I think there are a lot teams that like him.
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"So, it'll work out for him."
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Walton and Jefferson are back in Tucson for three weeks as they hold their second summer basketball camp.
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The return to Tucson has had rough moments for Walton. Arriving late Thursday, he was without his luggage. The airline lost it and hadn't gotten it to Walton as of late yesterday afternoon.
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Yet at McKale Center he looked as comfortable as ever playing alongside former UA players Andre Iguodala, Mike Bibby and Jefferson, along with current Wildcats Chris Rodgers and Hassan Adams for the Lute Olson Elite Basketball Camp.
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"We like it this much that we came to coach Olson's basketball camp, that we bought our own plane tickets, own hotel rooms, and we're not being paid to be here," Walton said jokingly. "But we're still here because we love it out here."
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Olson's camp ends today. The public may watch free starting at 12:30 p.m.
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Walton and Jefferson's camp will run from July 18-21.
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After that, the duo will return for the second Lute Olson All-Star Classic later in the summer. It will reunite former UA stars for a weekend dinner and basketball.
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But that can wait. For now, Jefferson and Walton will get ready for their camp.
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"It makes it easier with the two of us because it isn't just on one person," said Jefferson, who added that former UA teammate Jason Gardner will also help out. "We could have had it in San Diego, New Jersey, Phoenix or Los Angeles, but Tucson is the best place. It's such a great basketball community.
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"We both enjoy being down here, working out. It's also easy when you have good friends to do it with."
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Last year's first camp was an overwhelming success.
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"We stayed our entire time at the camp," Jefferson said.
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He is coming off a season in which he missed 50 games because of an injured left wrist. He returned for the Nets' playoff games but was limited because New Jersey lost in the first round.
"It was tough," Jefferson said of missing more than half the season. "I figure I got a year off so I can rest up. I was beat up."
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Walton wasn't beat up. He was just in a storm with the Lakers. But he did play more minutes per game last season in 11 fewer contests than he did in his first season under Jackson.
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"Overall, it's been great," Walton said of the two years with the Lakers. "The franchise is great, and they took care of me. Everyone was nice. Last season was frustrating with the playing time and with all the new stuff (coaching changes) that went on.
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"But with Phil coming back, I think the order will be restored there. They'll get back to winning ball games."
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Notable
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A number of top-flight high school recruits have been in Tucson the past couple of days.
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They include Chase Budinger, a 6-foot-7 forward from La Costa Canyon High in San Diego; Alex Jacobson, a 6-10 center from Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif.; 6-2 guard Jerryd Bayless of Phoenix's St. Mary's; 6-10 center Jeff Withey from Horizon High in San Diego; and 6-1 guard Brandon Jennings of Dominguez High in Compton, Calif.
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EX-WILDCATS' NBA STATS
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To sign up
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The Luke Walton & Richard Jefferson Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 18 is July 18-21 at McKale Center. Cost is $250. Call 360-6163 or check out www.lwrjbballcamp.com.
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Walton's 2004-05 season
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Points/Game: 3.3
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Rebounds/Game: 2.3
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Assists/Game: 1.5
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Steals/Game: 0.4
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Field Goal %: 41.1
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Jefferson's 2004-05 season
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Points/Game: 22.2
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Rebounds/Game: 7.3
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Assists/Game: 4.0
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Steals/Game: 1.0
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Field Goal %: 42.2