Thursday night saw 3 former members of the University of Texas Men’s Basketball drafted into the NBA. Two players went in the first round. Freshman guard, Avery Bradley, was drafted #19 overall by the Boston Celtics and senior forward, Damion James, was drafted #24 overall by the Atlanta Hawks and subsequently traded to the New Jersey Nets.
Senior center, Dexter Pittman, was the third and final Longhorn drafted when he went early in the second round to the Miami Heat at pick #32. James and Pittman will suit up for their respective teams during the various summer leagues. However, Bradley will not play for the Celtics, as he will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his ankle that he injured in a pre-draft workout for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Thursday’s draft marked the first time since 1990 that 2 Longhorns were drafted in the first round. Travis Mays and Lance Blanks were the last duo of Longhorns drafted in the first round. Mays was drafted 14th overall by the Sacramento Kings and the Detroit Pistons drafted Lance Blanks 26th overall. Since Rick Barnes has been coach, 13 players have been drafted, 7 in the first round. The previous first round picks are Chris Mihm (2000), T.J. Ford (2003), LaMarcus Aldridge (2006), Kevin Durant (2007), and D.J. Augustin (2008).