Mohamed Bamba selected No. 6 in NBA Draft by Orlando Magic

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Former University of Texas basketball standout Mohamed Bamba was selected as the No. 6 pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2018 NBA Draft on Thursday evening at Barclays Center. Bamba is the eighth lottery pick in the NBA Draft in UT program history.

Bamba is UT's highest draft selection since Tristan Thompson went at No. 4 in 2011 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bamba also is Texas' first lottery pick since Myles Turner in 2015 (No. 11 pick by the Indiana Pacers).

"I can't believe this, to be honest," Bamba said following his selection. "Everything just came back full circle for me. To be able to be drafted here in New York is just – I don't know, words can't explain. Especially by an organization (Orlando Magic) who truly values all my values. It's going to be awesome."

"When it's all said and done, I want to be walking across the stage and I want to be putting on a jacket that has this little seal that says "Hall of Fame," Bamba continued. "There's a lot to do before there, trust me, and it's a lofty goal, but that's the mindset that I'm going to have to have to do that."

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 44 Longhorns have now heard their names called on draft night. Texas has produced 17 first-round selections and 11 second-round picks in program history. UT has now had 19 players drafted in the last 20 years, dating back to the 1999 Draft.

Most Total NBA Lottery Picks by School (since 1999 through 2018 Draft)

School	Number of Lottery Picks
Duke	20
Kentucky	19
Kansas	14
Arizona	11
Connecticut	11
North Carolina	10
TEXAS	8
UCLA	7

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

Mohamed Bamba selected No. 6 in NBA Draft by Orlando Magic

Players Mentioned

Mohamed Bamba