THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JUNE 30
HISTORY
Players first to be drafted
BLAIR SHEADE
sports@kansan.com
Bill Self witnessed history for the Kansas men's basketball program Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Former freshmen guard Andrew Wiggins and center Joel Embiid were selected first overall and third overall in the draft, respectively. Wiggins went to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Embiid to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Wiggins became the first Jayhawk selected as a number one pick since Danny Manning in 1988. The program also had never had two players picked among the top three in the same draft.
Wiggins and Embiid became the 30th and 31st first-round picks in the program's history. It also marked the fifth consecutive year that at least two Jayhawks were drafted.
"It couldn't have happened to better young men," Self said.
Before Wiggins was drafted, Self never coached a player drafted number one overall, but Self said he's not more proud of Wiggins than he was of Ben McLeinore, who went seventh overall in 2013 to the Sacramento
Kings, or Thomas Robinson, who went fifth overall in 2012 to the Kings.
"There is something about that label being number one that bodes well for our program," Self said. "It's been 26 years since we had the number one pick, and we certainly don't want to wait another 26 years, but we're certainly very excited."
Self said he was a little surprised that the Cavaliers picked Wiggins as number one, but once Cleveland made the pick, Self knew Wiggins was in a great spot.
"He would have fit great with whoever," Self said. "But with Dion Waiters, Kyrie Irving and Andrew, that's a pretty formidable backcourt. I know he's part of their rebuilding process and I know they're very interested in winning now and becoming a playoff team immediately. I believe that Andrew will certainly aid in accomplishing that goal."
Self said Irving, who was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2012, has a great reputation and Wiggins will play well with a point guard like him.
"[Irving] has an abundance of talent, and I think that will be ever exciting for [Wiggins]," he said.
Embiid, who won Big sive player of the year at University all-time fresh record, could miss the e due to a foot injury. Sel missed both the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament back fracture as well.
Even with all the injur he thinks Embiid will fit into the organization.
"They already got and in Nerlens Noel, who h yet because of injury,"
Self said when both N biid are healthy, the 76 one of the best frontco
The Kansas basketba now has had three one players drafted in the p Self said the success of men in recent years wi recruit more NBA-cali
Self said he thinks it is cruiting when the prog that aren't potential high the season, but after the players become lottery
"This is a really excit our program," he said.
- Edited
FIRST-ROUND NBA DRAFT PICKS FROM KU
FIRST-ROUND NBA DRAFT PICKS FROM ROUND
2014
1. Andrew Wiggins — Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Joel Embiid — Philadelphia 76ers
2013
7. Ben McLemore — Sacramento Kings
2012
5. Thomas Robinson — Sacramento Kings
2011
13. Markieff Morris — Phoenix Suns
14. Marcus Morris — Houston Rockets
2010
11. Cole Aldrich — New Orleans Hornets
12. Xavier Henry — Memphis Grizzlies
2008
13. Brandon Rush — Portland Trail Blazers
27. Darrell Arthur — Portland Trail Blazers
30. J.R. Giddens — Boston Celtics
2007
13. Julian Wright — New Orleans Hornets
2005
29. Wayne Simien — Miami Heat
2003
7. Kirk Hinrich — Chicago Bulls
12. Nick Collison — Seattle SuperSonics
2002
4. Drew Gooden — Memphis Grizzlies
1998
3. Raef LaFrentz — Denver Nuggets
10. Paul Pierce — Boston Celtics
1997
19. Scot Pollard — Detroit Pistons
27. Jacque Vaughn — Utah Jazz
1995
28. Greg Ostertag — Utah Jazz
1993
16. Rex Walters — New Jersey Nets
1991
26. Mark Randall — Chicago Bulls
1988
1. Danny Manning — Los A
1901
15. Darnell Valentine — Po
1976
16. Norman Cook — Boston
1972
7. Bud Stallworth — Seattle
1969
9. Jo Jo White — Boston Ce
1966
6. Walt Wesley — Cincinnati
1962
5. Wayne Hightower — Phi
1959
2. Wilt Chamberlain — Phi
Information from bask