The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Aldridge selected No. 2 in 2006 NBA Draft by Chicago, traded to Portland
06.28.2006 | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK -- Former University of Texas basketball standout LaMarcus Aldridge was selected as the No. 2 pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2006 NBA Draft on Wednesday evening at Madison Square Garden. Aldridge's rights were later traded to Portland.
Aldridge becomes the highest draft pick in UT history, topping LaSalle Thompson's selection at No. 5 by Kansas City in 1982. Aldridge is the seventh player in school history to be selected in the first round and the 31st player overall since the NBA Draft began in 1947.
"I'm real excited for the opportunity to play in Portland," Aldridge said. "Playing in the NBA has been my goal since I was in high school. Portland is in the process of trying to rebuild and trying to start something new, and I feel privileged to be a part of that process."
He also is the sixth UT player to be drafted in the last eight years, following in the footsteps of Kris Clack (55th pick by Boston in 1999), Chris Mihm (seventh pick by Chicago in 2000), Chris Owens (48th pick by Milwaukee in 2001), T.J. Ford (eighth pick by Milwaukee in 2003) and Royal Ivey (37th pick by Atlanta in 2004).
Aldridge earned third-team All-America honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year accolades during the 2005-06 season, averaging 15.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest. He recorded 16 double-doubles in 37 games, tying for fifth place on the UT single-season chart. In 53 career games at Texas, Aldridge averaged 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest.