Tag: Warriors Draft

Draft History: Warriors select Vanderbilt’s Festus Ezeli with final pick in 2012 first round

Before the Warriors are on the clock in 2020, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight memorable picks.

Before the Golden State Warriors are on the clock with the No. 2 overall selection next month, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

With two picks in the first round of the 2012 NBA draft, general manager Bob Myers eyed a pair of players the Golden State Warriors could build around their young backcourt tandem of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. 

Following North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes landing in the Bay Area with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft, Myers and Mark Jackson targeted a prospect that can slide alongside veteran center Andrew Bogut in Golden State’s frontcourt. 

June 28, 2012

To open the 2012 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets and Charlotte Bobcats selected back-to-back Kentucky Wildcats with the first two picks. Anthony Davis went No. 1 to New Orleans with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist going to Charlotte at No. 2. 

After selecting Barnes with their top pick in the 2012 edition of the draft, the Warriors were back on the clock with the No. 30 overall pick courtesy of the San Antonio Spurs. 

With the final pick of the first round, the Warriors selected Vanderbilt’s Festus Ezeli. 

In his final two seasons in Kevin Stalling’s Vanderbilt program, the 6-foot-11 center averaged double-figures in scoring. As a senior, Ezeli averaged 10.1 points per game on 53.9% shooting from the field with 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Along with the Commodores center, Jefferey Taylor and John Jenkins joined a group of three players to be selected in the 2012 draft from Vanderbilt.

Along with an SEC tournament championship in 2012, the trio featuring Ezeli, Taylor and Jenkins led the Commodores to three appearances in the NCAA tournament. 

Once he was drafted by Golden State, Ezeli’s rookie training wheels came off rather quickly. While Bogut dealt with injuries, the first-year center was thrust into the starting lineup. During his rookie season, Ezeli started a career-high 41 games while averaging 4.0 boards, 2.4 points, and 0.9 blocks per contest. 

In his sophomore year in the NBA, Ezeli sealed his spot as a member of the Golden State Warriors 2015 championship team. During Golden State’s postseason run to the Finals, Ezeli averaged 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per contest. 

Watch highlights from Ezeli’s 2015 season in Golden State via YouTube:

Following three seasons in Golden State, Ezeli signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016. However, injuries hampered Ezeli’s career in the Pacific Northwest. After missing the entire season with a knee injury, Ezeli was waived by the Trail Blazers in 2017. 

Other notable members of the 2012 draft class include Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Andre Drummond, John Henson, Evan Fournier, Draymond Green and Khris Middleton.

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Draft Rewind: Warriors select Jackson State’s Purvis Short with No. 5 overall pick in 1978

Before the Warriors are on the clock in 2020, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight memorable picks.

Before the Golden State Warriors are on the clock with the No. 2 overall selection next month, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

Following Rick Barry’s departure to the Houston Rockets in the 1978 offseason, the Golden State Warriors had the opportunity to add help in the first round of the NBA Draft. While it’s never easy to replace a future Hall of Famer, Al Attles was able to land a prospect that made a steady impact during his time in the Bay Area.

June 9, 1978

At the Plaza Hotel in New York, the Portland Trail Blazers opened the 1978 NBA Draft by selecting Mychal Thompson (Klay Thompson’s father) out of Minnesota with the first overall selection.

Fast forward four picks and the Warriors were on the clock at No. 5. With Indiana State’s Larry Bird still on the board, the Warriors opted to draft Jackson State’s Purvis Short with the final pick in the top five.

During his final season at Jackson State, the two-time SWAC Player of the Year tallied 29.5 points on 53.3% shooting from the field in 22 games.

The 6-foot-7 forward quickly transitioned to the next level, registering 10.6 points on 47.9% shooting from the field with 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest. Over his next five seasons, Short’s numbers continued to rise.

In Golden State’s 1984-85 campaign, Short recorded a career-high 28.0 points per game on 46.0% shooting from the field with 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. Along with his career-high averages, Shorted scored a new career-high in single-game scoring.

On November 17, 1984 against the New Jersey Nets, Short scored 59 points on 20-of-28 shooting from the field with five boards and a steal. During Golden State’s 131-114 loss to the Nets, Short splashed four 3-pointers.

Over his nine-year run in the Bay Area, Short marked double-figures in scoring in each season. From 1982 to 1986, Short recorded over 20 or more points per game.

Watch highlights of Purvis in action via YouTube:

Along with Thompson, Bird and Short, other notable members of the 1978 draft class included Michael Ray Richardson, Reggie Theus, Mike Mitchell and Maurice Cheeks.

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Draft Rewind: Warriors select Troy Murphy out of Notre Dame in 2001 first round

Before the Warriors are on the clock in 2020, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight memorable picks.

Before the Golden State Warriors are on the clock with the No. 2 overall selection next month, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

In the 2001 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors were busy with three picks, including two in the top 14 selections. After bringing Michigan State’s Jason Richardson to their wing unit at No. 5, the Warriors were eyeing a prospect that could fit the frontcourt with the No. 14 overall pick in the draft.

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June 27, 2001

With the first overall pick, the Washington Wizards started the 2001 draft by selecting Kwame Brown out of Georgia’s Glynn Academy. Just four picks later, the Warriors drafted the high-flying Richardson with the No. 5 selection.

Brian Winters and Garry St. Jean’s night wasn’t over after the top five. The Golden State Warriors were back on the clock near the end of the lottery. With the No. 14 pick in the 2001 draft, the Warriors landed Troy Murphy out of Notre Dame.

During his three seasons in South Bend, Murphy never averaged below 19.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in his college career. Murphy tallied 21.8 points on 47.1% from the field in his junior season with 9.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per contest.

Despite his solid numbers, Murphy performed slightly better as a sophomore. In the 1999-2000 season, the 6-foot-11 big man recorded 22.7 points on 49.2 % shooting from the field with 10.3 boards and 1.0 blocks per contest.

In his final two seasons at Notre Dame, Murphy earned a bevy of accolades, including Consensus First Team All-American and Big East Player of the Year. Murphy earned the honors in back-to-back seasons as a sophomore and junior. In 2016, Murphy was inducted into Notre Dame’s Ring of Honor.

As a rookie, Murphy started slowly with Golden State, averaging 5.9 points on 42.7% shooting from the field with 3.9 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game. Despite his underwhelming rookie season, Murphy broke out in his second year in the Bay Area.

Murphy finished second in the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, registering 11.7 points on 45.1% shooting from the field with 10.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Murphy went on to average a double-double in three out of his six seasons in Golden State.

In 2007, the Warriors included Murphy in an eight-player trade with the Indiana Pacers that landed the Warriors Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington.

After his time in Indiana, the Notre Dame product went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks in his 13-year career in the association.

Other notable members of the 2001 NBA draft class included Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson, Zach Randolph, Brendan Haywood, Gerald Wallace, Tony Parker, Gilbert Arenas and Brian Scalabrine.

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Report: Warriors would ‘strongly consider’ Villanova’s Saddiq Bey in draft trade down

According to Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle, the Warriors would “strongly consider” Saddiq Bey if they trade down in the draft.

Although the Golden State Warriors have been busy interviewing and working out top prospects leading up to the NBA Draft, there’s still the chance Bob Myers and Steve Kerr opt to move the No. 2 overall pick in a trade.

If they make the decision to trade down, the Warriors could have a player in mind for later in the draft.

According to Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle, the Golden State Warriors “would strongly consider” Villanova’s Saddiq Bey if they trade down on draft night.

Via The San Francisco Chronicle:

According to multiple league sources, Golden State would strongly consider Bey if it trades down to the mid- to late-lottery. His winning pedigree, defensive versatility, basketball IQ and offensive efficiency make him an intriguing option as a “3-and-D” wing in the Warriors’ system.

During his sophomore season in the Big East, Bey averaged 16.1 points on 47.7% shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest. Before declaring for the NBA Draft, the 21-year-old earned a spot on the All-Big East First Team. Bey also was named as an honorable mention for the AP All-American Team.

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In Rookie Wire’s latest draft big board, the 6-foot-8 forward was ranked at No. 14 on the top-100. According to Rookie Wire’s Bryan Kalbrosky, Bey’s best trait is his ability to catch and shoot.

His best skill is his ability off the catch but he also has very good positional size, which will make him a more playable option as a defender on the perimeter as well.

In 2019-20, Bey shot 45.1% from beyond the arc on 5.1 long-distance attempts per game. Bey knocked down four or more 3-pointers in 10 games for Jay Wright’s program last season. Against Georgetown, Bey drilled a career-high eight long-distance 3-pointers on 10 attempts.

With Golden State aiming to reopen their championship window next season, a trade that lands them a proven veteran along with the chance to draft a polished prospect with experience like Bey could be what they need to get back to the top of the Western Conference.

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Report: Top prospects James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards were ‘beasts’ at pre-draft workouts with Warriors

According to Marcus Thompson of The Athletic, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman were “beasts” at pre-draft workouts with the Warriors.

After watching Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Deni Avdija at a pre-draft workout in Atlanta, the Golden State Warriors are continuing to do their homework on some of the top prospects in the 2020 class.

Following their workout and interview with Avdija, the Warriors were able to get a glimpse of Georgia’s Anthony Edwards and Memphis product James Wiseman, per Marcus Thompson of The Athletic.

According to Thompson, both Edwards and Wiseman were “beasts” at their pre-draft workouts in front of Steve Kerr, Bob Myers, Joe Lacob and Golden State’s director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini.

Via The Athletic:

But they did see something on this road trip, sources said, that would make them just fine with making a selection at No. 2. Two somethings actually.

Anthony Edwards. James Wiseman. I put them in alphabetical order, so don’t get ahead of yourself. Word out of the workouts is that both of them were “beasts.”

Along with his performance on the court, Wiseman made an impression on the Warriors during his “conversation/interview,” per Thompson.

Wiseman is as big and skilled as advertised. They also liked him when they had their conversation/interview or whatever it was.

Although his time at the college level was limited to three games, Wiseman showed why he’s widely considered one of the top prospects in the 2020 NBA draft. During his three-game run with Penny Hardaway at Memphis, Wiseman averaged 19.7 points on 76.9% shooting from the field with 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest. In each game, the former McDonald’s All-American recorded a double-double.

According to Thompson, it was Edwards’ electric athleticism that impressed the Warriors at his workout.

Edwards’ exceptional athleticism jumped out in person. He seemed to really impress the Warriors with his freakishness.

On his way to earning the title of SEC Freshman of the Year, Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game on 40.2% shooting from the field with 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest for the Bulldogs. It’s no surprise Edwards’ athletic ability caught Golden State’s eye. The 19-year-old would explode to the basketball with regularity during his time in Athens.

If the Minnesota Timberwolves opt to pick LaMelo Ball with the first overall selection in the draft, the Warriors will have to decide between the two impressive prospects on Nov. 18.

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Report: Warriors ‘blown away’ by Deni Avdija after pre-NBA draft workout

Before they’re on the draft clock, the Warriors worked out top-prospect Deni Avdija, according to The Athletic’s Ethan Sherwood Strauss.

Before they’re on the clock with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors have been doing their homework on the prospect pool.

As Bob Myers and Steve Kerr put the final touches on their plan for their highly-anticipated selection, the Warriors have been in contact with prospects for workouts and interviews. Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton, France’s Killian Hayes and Penn State’s Lamar Stevens are some of the players that have been linked to Golden State for pre-draft interviews.

On Thursday, the Warriors had the opportunity to meet one of the top-rated prospects in the 2020 draft class.

According to Ethan Sherwood Strauss of The Athletic, Steve Kerr and other members of the Warriors organization traveled to Atlanta to work out Deni Avdija.

Via The Athletic

Steve Kerr and other members of the Warriors organization worked out Maccabi Tel Aviv prospect Deni Avdija on Thursday morning in Atlanta, according to sources. By all accounts, it was a positive get together, one in which the 19-year-old Israeli impressed observers.

After the workout, Avdija continued to impress in the interview portion of the meeting. The Warriors were reportedly “blown away” by the 19-year-old, per Strauss.

Not only did Avdija perform well in the workouts, but Warriors officials were blown away after meeting with him. The universal takeaway was that he’s a “great kid” with an immense work ethic.

The workout in Atlanta isn’t the first time members of Golden State’s organization have seen Avdija on the court. According to Connor Letourneau of The Athletic, the Warriors traveled to Israel “multiple times” to see the 6-foot-9 forward in person.

Via @Con_Chron on Twitter:

On his way to winning the Israeli League’s Most Valuable Player, Avdija averaged 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and one block per contest for Maccabi Tel Aviv. During the EuroLeague, he averaged 4.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

In USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire pre-combine big board, Avdija placed at No. 12 in the top-100. According to Rookie Wire’s Bryan Kalbrosky, Avdija is a “swiss-army knife on offense.”

Via Rookie Wire pre-combine big board:

U20 European Championship 2019 MVP Deni Avdija is a bit of a swiss-army knife on offense who could be useful for nearly any team in the NBA. But even though he is a solid enough scorer and playmaker to enjoy some success at the next level, a lack of an identifiable elite skill makes him project more as a role player than one who can help define a franchise.

With his ability to handle the ball and control an offense, Avdija could provide another playmaking option for Kerr behind Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. When Golden State’s All-Star trio is off the court, Avdija could serve as an offensive initiator alongside Eric Paschall in the Warriors’ second unit.

As he develops into an NBA role, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv standout could also slide into the frontcourt in a small-ball lineup with Curry, Thompson, Green and Andrew Wiggins.

As the Warriors piece together their own big board leading up to Nov. 18, prospects will continue to meet with Kerr and other members of Golden State’s organization.

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Draft Rewind: Warriors select Todd Fuller out of NC State in 1996 first round

Before the Warriors are on the clock in 2020, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight memorable picks.

Before the Golden State Warriors are on the clock next month, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

After selecting NBA All-Rookie team member Joe Smith out of Maryland with the first overall selection in the 1995 NBA draft, Rick Adelman and David Twardzik were looking to build on their success in the 1996 draft.

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While they weren’t on the clock at the top of the draft, the Warriors had the opportunity to add another talented youth to their core that featured the former No. 1 overall pick, Latrell Sprewell and Donyell Marshall.

June 26, 1996

The Philadelphia 76ers opened the 1996 edition of the NBA draft with their selection of Georgetown point guard Allen Iverson. Following “AI,” 10 picks went off the board before the Golden State Warriors were officially on the clock.

With the first pick just outside of the top-10, the Golden State Warriors added NC State big man Todd Fuller with the No. 11 overall selection.

Despite future All-Stars like Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojaković, Jermain O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas still on the board, the tandem of Adelman and Twardzik decided to pass on them for Fuller.

On his way to being named to the All-ACC First Team, Fuller averaged 20.9 points on 50.6% shooting from the field with 9.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest.

Although his numbers at the college level were substantial, the 6-foot-11 center had trouble adjusting to professional basketball. During his first season in the Bay Area, Fuller averaged 4.1 points on 42.9 shooting from the field with 3.3 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per contest.

Despite his down numbers in his debut season, Fuller would never go on to top his mark from his rookie year. The big man’s numbers continued to decline in his sophomore season with Golden State.

Watch the moment Fuller was drafted by the Golden State Warriors via YouTube:

After only playing in 57 games in 1997-98, the Warriors traded Fuller to the Utah Jazz in the 1998-99 season. After short stints with the Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, Fuller opted to play overseas.

After his time in the NBA came to a close, Fuller played professionally in Spain, Poland, and Greece.

Over Fuller’s five seasons in the association, he averaged 3.7 points on 42.4% shooting from the field with 3.0 rebounds per contest in 225 games.

Along with Bryant, Iverson, Nash, Ilgauskas and O’Neal, other standout members of the 1996 draft class included Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Antoine Walker, Derek Fisher and Kerry Kittles.

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James Wiseman lands with the Warriors in latest Bleacher Report NBA mock draft

In the latest NBA mock draft from Bleacher Report’s lead draft writer Jonathan Wasserman, the Golden State Warriors land James Wiseman with the No. 2 pick.

After an extended wait, the 2020 NBA Draft is finally less than a month away. As draft night approaches, mock drafts continue to release predictions for the Golden State Warriors top pick.

In Jonathan Wasserman‘s latest mock draft for Bleacher Report, the Warriors landed big-man prospect James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall selection.

According to Wasserman, there is “more support” for the Memphis big man in Golden State’s front office over Georgia’s Anthony Edwards if the Warriors don’t move the No. 2 pick in the draft. 

Via Bleacher Report:

Odds are, the Warriors stay put despite all the trade chatter, and we’re hearing there is more support for James Wiseman than Anthony Edwards in Golden State’s front office. Deni Avdija, Obi Toppin and Tyrese Haliburton figure to remain in play, but it’s presumed they’re more trade-down targets.

If Bob Myers and Steve Kerr do select Wiseman with the No. 2 pick, the 19-year-old could serve as a “rim runner and finisher” as he adjusts to the NBA level, per Wasserman.

Though Wiseman isn’t considered as NBA-ready as others, the game would come easier to him in Golden State, where he could play off the team’s shooters and passers and work exclusively as a rim-runner and finisher. He’d give a rotation fueled by skill a useful jolt of athleticism in the middle.

Vie Wasserman’s full mock draft on Bleacher Report here.

Although Wiseman’s only college basketball season was cut short, his stint at Memphis resulted in three double-double performances in three games. During his run with Penny Hardaway and the Tigers, the highly touted prospect averaged 19.7 points on 76.9% shooting from the field with 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest.

Prior to his time at Memphis, Wiseman earned bids to the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. The Nashville product was named Gatorade National Player of the Year and Tennessee Mr. Basketball.

In the Warriors Wire Big Board 1.0, Wiseman was the No. 4 ranked prospect in the top-30.

While Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green advance to the next stage of their careers, Wiseman’s presence underneath could give the Warriors the flexibility to reimagine their rotation inside out for the future.

With his 7-foot size paired with elite athleticism, the Warriors would add a new dynamic underneath upon Wiseman’s arrival.

While Kevon Looney and Marquese Chriss have proven they can contribute to Golden State’s frontcourt, the Warriors haven’t had a center prospect of Wiseman’s caliber in the Kerr era.

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Draft Rewind: Warriors land undrafted prospect Jeremy Lin out of Harvard after 2010 NBA Draft

Before the Warriors are on the clock in 2020, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight memorable picks.

Before the Golden State Warriors fill out the card for the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

Although the Warriors have three picks in the 2020 NBA Draft, there’s a chance Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will be monitoring who goes undrafted. The Warriors have been able to identify undrafted prospects like Damion Lee, Ky Bowman and Mychal Mulder, who’ve developed into contributors. With expensive contracts on the books in Golden State, the duo of Kerr and Myers will need to get creative when it comes to filling out the rest of their roster.

While the Warriors had a pick in the top-10 on draft night in 2010, Keith Smart and Larry Riley were able to bring in a local product as an undrafted free agent that later developed into a breakout phenom.

June 24, 2010

Despite a prospect pool that featured John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Gordon Hayward and Paul George, the Golden State Warriors selected Ekpe Udoh with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft.

With no second-round pick, the Warriors 2010 draft class consisted of only the Baylor product. However, Riley and Smart were active in the undrafted free agent market. Almost a month after the draft, the Warriors signed undrafted free agent Jeremy Lin out of Hardvard to a two-year contract.

During four seasons at Harvard, the point guard was a three-year starter, earning two nods to the All-Ivy League First-Team. Over his career with The Crimson, Lin averaged 12.9 points on 48.1% shooting from the field with 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists per contest.

The Palo Alto native signed with the Warriors following a solid performance in the Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks.

During his first season in the association, Lin bounced back and forth between Golden State’s rotation and the D League. As a rookie, Lin played in 29 games, averaging 2.6 points on 38.9% from the field with 1.4 assists and 1.2 rebounds per game.

Watch highlights from Lin’s rookie season with the Warriors via YouTube: 

After the NBA lockout in 2011, the Warriors waived Lin during preseason training camp. After his time with Golden State, Lin joined the Houston Rockets. However, he was waived again before seeing any game action with Houston.

Despite bouncing around, Lin broke out in his sophomore season as a member of the New York Knicks. In a February tilt against the New Jersey Nets, “Linsanity” was born. The former Warrior point guard exploded for 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field with seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.

Following his breakout game for New York, Lin scored 20 or more points in the next nine of 10 games. In 2011-12, Lin recorded seven double-doubles in 35 games. Lin’s impressive stint thrust the young guard into a starting role inside Madison Square Garden. After only averaging 9.8 minutes per game in Golden State, Lin started 25 games with New York, playing 26.9 minutes per contest.

After his breakout campaign with the Knicks, Lin signed a multi-year deal with the Houston Rockets to be their starting point guard. During his nine-year career in the NBA, Lin made stops in Los Angeles, Charlotte, Brooklyn, Atlanta and Toronto.

In 2019, Lin matched up with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals as a member of the Toronto Raptors.

Other notable prospects from the 2010 draft class included Evan Turner, Derrick Favors, Eric Bledsoe, Avery Bradley, Patrick Patterson, Ed Davis, Al-Farouq Aminu and Lance Stephenson. 

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Draft Rewind: Warriors select Baylor’s Ekpe Udoh in 2010 first round

Before the Warriors are on the clock in 2020, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight memorable picks.

Before the Golden State Warriors are on the clock with the No. 2 selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft catalog to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

After landing Stephen Curry with the No. 7 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Larry Riley and Keith Smart had the opportunity to build around their NBA All-Rookie Team member.

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June 24, 2010

The Washington Wizards kicked off the 2010 edition of the NBA Draft by selecting John Wall out of the University of Kentucky. The Sacramento Kings capped off the top five by taking Wall’s teammate DeMarcus Cousins. Following the future Golden State center heading to California’s capital, the Warriors were on the clock.

After finishing with a 26-56 record, the Warriors were slated to pick in the top-10 for the second consecutive season. With the No. 6 pick in the 2010 draft, the Warriors penned Ekpe Udoh out of Baylor.

After spending his first two college seasons at Michigan, the 6-foot-10 forward spent the final season of his college career in the Big 12 with Baylor. During his only season in Waco, Udoh averaged 13.9 points on 49% from the field with 9.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. 

Before declaring for the draft, Udoh was named as an honorable mention for the AP All-American Team along with earning bids to the All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team.

With Curry and Monta Ellis in the backcourt, Udoh averaged 4.1 points on 43.7% shooting from the field with 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 17.8 minutes per contest as a rookie.

Watch a highlight from Udoh’s rookie season in the Bay Area via YouTube:

During the 2011-12 season, the Warriors included Udoh in a deal that sent Monta Ellis, Kwame Brown and the Baylor product to the Milwaukee Bucks for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson. After two and a half seasons in Milwaukee, Udoh signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Following one season in Southern California, the shot-blocking big man opted to play in Europe for Fenerbahçe.

On his way to winning a EuroLeague championship with Fenerbahçe in 2017, Udoh was named to the All-EuroLeague First team and EuroLeague Final Four Most Valuable Player. During his time with Fenerbahçe, Udoh played with former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett and current Sacramento Kings wing Bogdan Bogdanović.

Following his two seasons in Turkey, Udoh returned to the NBA with the Utah Jazz in 2017. Udoh spent two seasons with the Jazz, averaging 2.5 points on 57.3% shooting from the field with 2.1 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per contest.

Along with Wall and Cousins, other notable members of the 2010 NBA Draft class included Gordon Hayward, Paul George, Evan Turner, Derrick Favors, Eric Bledsoe, Avery Bradley, Patrick Patterson, Ed Davis, Al-Farouq Aminu and Lance Stephenson.

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