Desmond Bane was drafted 30th by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020, but the former TCU standout initially thought he would be joining the Detroit Pistons.
Bane entered the draft projected to be a mid-to-late first-round pick after averaging 16.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals as a senior. He was known as a knock-down shooter in college, converting on 44.2% from 3-point range on 6.5 attempts.
On the night of the draft, Bane was in communication with the Pistons, who had the 16th pick. Detroit also acquired the 19th pick from the Brooklyn Nets so Bane thought they were going to take him with one of those picks, as he explained recently on the “Old Man & the Three” podcast.
Detroit calls right after Aaron Nesmith goes 14 and we knew Detroit had 16 and they were like, ‘Sit tight. We’re trying to make it happen.’ I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going 16 to Detroit.’ We were in there celebrating. The 16th pick goes by and we don’t get a call. I think it was Isaiah Stewart that goes off the board and then we had saw Detroit had traded for 19 so we were like, ‘Oh, we’re going 19.’ Obviously, they didn’t take me 19, they took Saddiq Bey.
Desmond Bane thought for sure he'd be a Detroit Piston.
Draft night stories are the best. pic.twitter.com/qpyNMBEM5G
— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) February 9, 2022
Of course, Bane eventually fell to the Grizzlies with the 30th pick where he turned in a strong rookie campaign. He was named to the All-Rookie second-team last season after averaging 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 43.2% shooting from 3-point range.
While Bane was the last pick of the first round, the Grizzlies guard has often said how thankful he is that he landed in Memphis. He has developed into a key player for the Grizzlies and is a big reason why they have the third-best record in the NBA.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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