The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Then and now: 2002-03 Men's Basketball
02.19.2013 | Longhorn Foundation
Feb. 19, 2013
In 2003, the Texas Men's Basketball team accomplished a feat it hadn't in 56 years: advancing to the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four. The Longhorns finished the season with a 26-7 record, tying the school's record for most basketball wins.
Here's a look at the 2003 team and what they're doing now.
Brian Boddicker, 6-8 Forward
Then: Boddicker played 134 consecutive games for Texas and averaged 7.3 points with a .412 field goal percentage. He had a .404 career 3-point field goal percentage and was named to the Big 12 All-Reserve team three of his four seasons.
Now: He played professional basketball in Turkey, Spain and Germany. Boddicker currently plays for a club in France.
Brad Buckman, 6-9 Forward
Then: Buckland was just a freshman when Texas made it to the Final Four, but he played in all of UT's games that season and was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team. He led the team with a .517 field goal percentage.
During his four years as a Longhorn, he totaled 168 blocks. Buckman averaged 6.3 rebounds and 8.5 points per game with a .471 field goal percentage.
Now: He plays for the Artland Dragons in Germany.
Deginald Erskin, 6-5 Forward
Then: Erskin transferred to UT from North Texas and was a walk-on his junior year. During his two seasons in burnt orange, he had a .512 field goal percentage and averaged 5.75 points per game.
Now: Erskin is a production manager for Discover and lives in Salt Lake City.
T.J. Ford, 5-10 Guard
Then: Ford was only at UT for his freshman and sophomore years, and during his sophomore campaign, he was vital in Texas' trip to the Final Four. As a sophomore, he was a consensus First Team All-American and won the Naismith College Player of the Year and John Wooden awards.
During his time as a Longhorn, he had a .405 field goal percentage, 3.8 rebounds per game and 12.9 points per game.
Now: He was selected eighth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and also went on to play for the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers. After a career in the NBA, Ford retired in 2012 due to a reoccurring back injuries.
Drew Gressett, 6-0 Guard
Then: Gressett was a walk-on who was honored with UT's Jack Gray Award for character, citizenship and academic standing. He played in 18 games during his four years at UT, including eight during the Final Four season. He had a .400 field goal percentage.
Now: Gressett founded Hat Creek Burger Company and now has three restaurants in Austin.
Sydmill Harris, 6-5 Guard
Then: Harris averaged 5.6 points with a .372 three-point percentage while at UT. He was named to the All Big 12 Reserve team his sophomore year and went to the NCAA Tournament every year of his UT career.
Now: After college Harris played in Europe for a few years and began working in the software industry. He now lives in Japan and works for the U.S. Navy.
Royal Ivey, 6-3 Guard
Then: Ivey was a two-time Big 12 Conference All-Defensive team and finished his career at Texas as the all-time leader in career starts with 126. He averaged 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Now: Ivey was the 37th overall pick by Atlanta in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft. During his NBA career, he also played for Milwaukee and Oklahoma City. He currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jason Klotz, 6-9 Center
Then: Klotz was named honorable mention All Big 12 his junior and senior seasons. He had 103 blocked shots and 50 assists during his college career. He averaged 6.2 points per game with a .482 field goal percentage.
Now: Klotz played professional basketball in China, Turkey, Spain, and Japan. He currently works for LB Foster in Houston and he recently welcomed a baby girl, Reagan.
Brandon Mouton, 6-4 Guard
Then: Mouton was named to the All-Big 12 first team and a Big 12 All-Tournament team his senior year. He led the team with 444 points that season. He finished his UT career averaging 11.9 points per game with a .420 field goal percentage.
Now: Mouton lives in Lafayette, La., and works for NCIC, an inmate phone provider. He also operates Longhorn Lock and Load as licensed gun dealer. Mouton is married and has a four-year-old son named Caden.
Chris Ogden, 6-6 Forward
Then: Ogden was a senior captain during Texas' run in the Final Four. During his time with the Longhorns, he had 144 career points, 88 rebounds and 40 assists.
Now: Ogden is in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Texas Men's Basketball team.
Kenton Paulino, 6-1 Guard
Then: Paulino was a freshman when Texas made it to the Final Four, but was also on the roster during UT's runs to the Elite Eight (2006) and Sweet 16 (2004). He hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against West Virginia to send Texas to the Elite Eight in 2006.
He finished his career with a .401 3-point field goal percentage and averaged 6.5 points per game.
Now: Paulino played two years professionally after he left UT, one in Turkey and the other with the Austin Toros. He is currently an assistant coach at Fresno State University.
Terrell Ross, 6-3 Guard
Ross transferred to UT from Allegany College in Maryland and played two years with the Longhorns. He had 52 assists and a .387 field goal percentage.
James Thomas, 6-8 Center
Then: His senior year, Thomas became the second player in UT history to record both 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He averaged 8.6 points per game with a .507 field goal percentage.
Now: He played for Portland, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Chicago in the NBA. He then began a professional career in Europe and played for various teams in Italy and Turkey. He currently plays in Israel.
