The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Mohamed Bamba set for 2018 NBA Draft
06.19.2018 | Men's Basketball
Former Longhorn should become eighth lottery pick in program history during Thursday’s NBA Draft.
Bamba feature clips packet
UT's NBA Draft History
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Former University of Texas basketball standout Mohamed Bamba will look to have his name called early during Thursday night's NBA Draft at Barclays Center. ESPN will provide start-to-finish coverage of the draft beginning at 6 p.m. Central (7 p.m. Eastern).
Since the NBA Draft lottery started in 1985, UT has produced seven lottery picks (a draft pick whose position is determined through the lottery). Those seven selections include Kevin Durant (No. 2 pick in 2007), LaMarcus Aldridge (No. 2 pick in 2006), Tristan Thompson (No. 4 pick in 2011), Chris Mihm (No. 7 pick in 2000), T.J. Ford (No. 8 pick in 2003), D.J. Augustin (No. 9 pick in 2008) and Myles Turner (No. 11 pick in 2015). Since 2004, a lottery pick has included the top 14 selections in the draft.
During his one season at Texas (2017-18), Bamba earned Honorable Mention All-America honors by The Associated Press and a spot on the John R. Wooden Award National Ballot (final 15 candidates for National Player of the Year). One of 10 finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, he was named to the five-person National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 8 First Team and the 12-person United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District VII Team. Bamba also earned recognition on the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team, the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team.
Bamba, who played in 30 games (29 starts), led the Big 12 Conference in double-doubles (15), rebounding (10.5 rpg) and blocked shots (111, 3.70 bpg). He also ranked second on the team in scoring (12.9 ppg) and fourth in minutes (30.2 mpg) while converting 54.1-percent (146-270) from the field and 68.1-percent (81-119) from the free throw line. Bamba reached double figures in scoring 23 times and reached double figures in rebounds 19 times. He topped the 20-point mark four times on the year.
Bamba ranked second nationally in blocks per game (3.70 bpg), 12th in rebounds per game (10.5 rpg), 18th in defensive rebounds per game (7.33 rpg) and 20th in double-doubles (15). He set the UT overall season record for blocks (111, previous was 92 by Chris Owens in 2000-01) and the school and Big 12 Conference freshman season mark (previous was 90 by Chris Mihm in 1997-98).
Since the NBA Draft began in 1947, a total of 43 Longhorns have heard their names called on draft night. Texas has produced a total of 16 first-round selections and 11 second-round picks in program history.
Raymond Downs, a sixth-round pick by St. Louis in 1957, was the first Longhorn to be drafted. Texas has had 18 players drafted in the previous 19 years, dating back to the 1999 Draft.
