The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Pittman selected No. 32 in NBA Draft by Miami
06.24.2010 | Men's Basketball
June 24, 2010
- Pittman final collegiate bio 
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| Dexter Pittman |
AUSTIN, Texas -- Former University of Texas basketball standout Dexter Pittman was selected as the No. 32 pick, the second selection in the second round, by the Miami Heat in the 2010 NBA Draft on Thursday evening at Madison Square Garden.
Pittman becomes the third UT player selected in this year's draft, joining Avery Bradley (No. 19 pick by Boston) and Damion James (No. 24 pick by Atlanta, traded to New Jersey). This marks the second time in school history that the Longhorns have had three players selected in the same draft. LaMarcus Aldridge (No. 2 pick by Chicago), P.J. Tucker (No. 35 pick by Toronto) and Daniel Gibson (No. 42 pick by Cleveland) were taken during the 2006 NBA Draft.
Pittman is the 13th Texas player to be drafted in the last 12 years, following in the footsteps of Kris Clack (1999), Chris Mihm (2000), Chris Owens (2001), T.J. Ford (2003), Royal Ivey (2004), Aldridge (2006), Tucker (2006), Gibson (2006), Kevin Durant (2007), D.J. Augustin (2008), Bradley (2010) and James (2010).
A four-year letter winner and two-year starter at center, Pittman played in 134 career games (59 starts) during his career. He set the UT record for career field goal percentage (.623) and holds two of the top three single-season field goal percentage marks in school history. Pittman set the single-season field goal percentage record as a senior (.654, 140-of-214), while his junior year mark of .616 (130-of-211) ranks third on the single-season list. He also ranks eighth on the UT career blocks list (124).
Pittman ranked third on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg), second in rebounding (5.9 rpg) and led the squad and ranked fourth in the Big 12 Conference in blocks (63) during his senior season.
"We're excited for Dexter," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "You look back at where he was with his body when he came to campus as a freshman, and you have to admire the work and time that he put into his weight loss. He gave himself this opportunity simply by the work he did.
"When it comes to his skill level in basketball, he's a guy that is just getting started. As he continues to get his body in even better shape, we've always said he has the potential to be a very effective player at both ends of the court," Barnes said.
Pittman is the 11th player in UT history to be selected in the second round and the 38th player overall since the NBA Draft began in 1947.
