Alabama, Auburn no stranger to NBA Draft
Published 9:19 am Wednesday, June 19, 2019
In a state known primarily for its intense college football rivalry, Alabama and Auburn have both produced lottery picks in the NBA Draft.
Alabama has a razor-thin edge 3-2 over its in-state rival, only because point guard Collin Sexton went seventh overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers last year.
The Crimson Tide’s other two lottery selections were forward Robert Horry to the Houston Rockets in 1992 and forward Antonio McDyess to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1995. Horry was the final lottery selection, going 11th overall. McDyess was the No. 2 overall pick, but later traded to the Denver Nuggets.
Both Auburn lottery picks were fourth overall: forward Chuck Person to the Indiana Pacers in 1985 and forward Chris Morris to the New Jersey Nets three years later.
Alabama figures to keep its slight advantage for the foreseeable future because neither squad has lottery talent.
As far as impact, it’s not even close.
Horry has won seven NBA championships with three different teams: Houston, Los Angeles Lakers and Antonio Spurs. The 6-foot-10 Horry earned a reputation, “Big Shot Bob” for his clutch three-point shooting in the postseason.
Injuries eventually derailed what was once a promising career for the 6-foot-10 McDyess, who almost won an NBA title with the Detroit Pistons.
Person was a prolific scorer for Indiana until the arrival of Reggie Miller, whose three-point shooting is legendary and he eventually guided the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals.
Morris averaged 14 points a game during his first seven NBA seasons with the Nets. He helped the Utah Jazz reach the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 and finished his pro career overseas.
I’ll throw in a couple of footnotes to keep from getting angry emails.
Charles Barkley went fifth overall to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984, but the NBA Lottery wasn’t created until 1985.
Center DeMarcus Cousins, a Mobile native, went fifth overall to the Sacramento Kings in 2010.
With Auburn’s Final Four run and Alabama hiring Nate Oats, both teams could revive the state’s NBA Draft Lottery hopes in the near future.
