By W.G, Ramirez
The Sporting Tribune
The John R. Wooden Award will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary this season. Leading up to the award ceremony on April 10, 2026, The Sporting Tribune in partnership with the Wooden Award and the Los Angeles Athletic Club will highlight past winners of the Wooden Award and the Legends of Coaching Award.
Sean Elliott never lacked determination.
It’s what made the Tucson native a hometown legend at Arizona University and one of the greatest all-time members of the San Antonio Spurs.
Never the flashiest player, he was the prototype of the modern “3-and-D” wing long before the term became common.
Known as a versatile, smooth and intelligent forward who could score at all three levels – from the perimeter, mid-range, and around the basket – Elliott used his consistent scoring and strong defensive skills to become a two-time All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year at Arizona.
The two-way wing who was invaluable at both ends of the floor finished as the program’s all-time leading scorer, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s (then Lew Alcindor’s) Pac-10 scoring record.
On the defensive end, Elliott was a strong perimeter defender, using his length and quickness to guard both shooting guards and small forwards.
His phenomenal footwork allowed him to stay disciplined on defense, as he rarely overcommitted or bit on fakes.
He was named the 1998 Wooden Award winner.
Elliott was a key member of the Spurs dynasty, as he was a part of the team’s first championship run alongside Tim Duncan and David Robinson, winning the championship in 1999.
Known as someone who didn’t force shots, playing within the Spurs’ system by moving well without the ball and finding open spots for mid-range jumpers and corner 3-pointers, he became known for the “Memorial Day Miracle.”
It was Elliott’s clutch corner 3-pointer in Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference Finals against Portland that helped the Spurs take a commanding series lead.
It was his overall prowess that allowed him to become an anchor on defense for the Spurs, as he fir perfectly into Gregg Popovich’s defensive system. He communicated well, rotated properly, and helped protect the rim when needed.
Elliott’s determination eventually turned toward his health, as he was diagnosed with a kidney disease (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) in 1999.
He received a kidney transplant from his brother, Noel Elliott, later that year.
Elliott returned to the NBA in 2000, becoming the first player in league history to return after undergoing a kidney transplant, and inspiring many with his determination and resilience.
Playing through pain and adversity, given his kidney condition and post-transplant comeback, put his determination on display every night.
And while he finished his career as a 37.6% shooter from 3-point range, it was his overall game that set a standard for the modern-day two-way forward who shoots nearly 40% from 3-point range, defends the opponent’s best wing, and serves as a dependable secondary scorer.
Post-retirement, the Spurs Hall of Famer became a respected analyst and color commentator for Spurs games on Bally Sports Southwest.
He’s become active in community and health advocacy, often speaking about organ donation and recovery.
His latest display of determination came more recently, when three decades after ending his legendary Wildcats basketball career, Elliott returned to Arizona as a student, chipping away at a 27-unit deficit via online classes after COVID hit in 2020. He graduated in 2023 and finally received his college degree from the same institution his jersey has hung for 27 years, inside Arizona’s McKale Center.