So the Pac-12 had a record 14 players chosen in Thursday night’s NBA Draft, including six in the first round. But I want to focus on a couple players. First, there is UCLA forward Ike Anigbogu. He averaged 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds last season. When I questioned his going pro two months ago, a couple writers assured me he was going to be a first-round draft pick. Instead, Anigbogu was the 47th pick in the draft.
Who advised him? How about actually starting for a season before leaping toward the NBA draft?
Then there is Cal forward Ivan Rabb. He was considered a lottery pick a year ago but came back for his sophomore season and slid to the 35th pick. Maybe it hurt Rabb that he measured 6-8¾ instead of his announced 6-11. But coming back to college, which seemed a wise decision, hurt his prospects. Still, I will take Rabb, who thought he needed another year in college, over Anigbogu, who never delivered in college and still went pro.
SELECTIONS BY CONFERENCE
1. Pac-12 – 14 – 6 first round
ACC – 14 – 10 first round
3. Big 12 – 6 – 2 first round
4. Big Ten – 4 – 3 first round
SEC – 4 – 3 first round
6. The American – 3 – 0 first round
Big East – 3 – 2 first round
8. WCC – 2 – 1 first round
9. Horizon – 1 – 0 first round
PAC-12 PLAYERS DRAFTED
First Round
1. Markelle Fultz, WASHINGTON – Philadelphia
2. Lonzo Ball, UCLA – LA Lakers
7. Lauri Markkanen, ARIZONA – Chicago (via Minnesota)
18. TJ Leaf, UCLA – Indiana
27. Kyle Kuzma, UTAH – LA Lakers (via Brooklyn)
29. Derrick White, COLORADO – San Antonio
Second Round
35. Ivan Rabb, CALIFORNIA – Memphis (via Orlando)
36. Jonah Bolden, UCLA – Philadelphia
38. Jordan Bell, OREGON – Golden State (via Chicago)
41. Tyler Dorsey, OREGON – Atlanta
45. Dillon Brooks, OREGON – Memphis (via Houston)
47. Ike Anigbogu, UCLA – Indiana
53. Kadeem Allen, ARIZONA – Boston
56. Jabari Bird, CALIFORNIA – Boston
Writers aren’t experts in sports. Kyrie Irving never delivered for Duke. He was hurt most of his freshman season. I don’t understand the post.
This. Plus the college game is much different than the NBA, especially for big men. A long big who can run the floor, rebound and stay active will find a roster spot in the NBA. Bigs don’t need to score in today’s NBA. The days of the Goliaths roaming the middle are over.
Ten years ago Lauri Markkanen would have been considered a tweener without a position to play: too slight to play inside, can’t really handle the ball, and is defensive nightmare if isolated out on the wings. He would have been a late 1st round/2nd round choice. Today he has a defined position (stretch 3) and is a lottery pick. He still might bust, especially if he loses his shot (since he is a poor rebounder and defender), but everyone today needs a long stretch forward who can hit the three.
Yup
I thought the pac 12 was soft and terrible? UCLA with 3 top 50 picks and the savior could only manage 2 tournament wins.
#whiteguysloss
Another millionaire not taking life advice from phat guy that thinks soccer shirts are fashionable….
Another UCLA guy getting his paycheck signed by a USC graduate.
and laughing all the way to the bank
The eyes never lie when it comes to evaluating college basketball players, people do
chicago drafted a girl? i guess this is what they call political correctnes these days, smdh!
Zack LaVine didn’t start his one year at ucla but was drafted in the first round 3 years ago (13th pick) and is doing fine. Won the slam-dunk contest twice.
Lakers totally blew this pick. They picked a slow white guy who lost the tournament per Ball’s dad
With Quality like this, a good Commissioner should have no problem getting the Pac 12 Network on Direct TV….oops sorry.