This is the last in a five-part series reviewing the NBA draft since 2005. You can view the rest of the series by clicking on the links below:
The draft this past June saw the number of freshmen and sophomores taken decline significantly from 2008. Last year, 60% (or 18 picks) of the first-round draft picks were freshmen and sophomores. In comparison, this year saw just 13 underclassmen go in the entire draft.
Both juniors (8) and seniors (6) outnumbered freshmen (4) in the first round for the first time since 2006. Two of the four freshmen were selected in the lottery. Tyreke Evans followed Derrick Rose’s lead and became the second straight freshman point guard from Memphis to leave for the NBA. The other lottery pick was USC’s DeMar DeRozan, who essentially followed the career path of O.J. Mayo by turning pro after one season with the Trojans. Perhaps it’s no coincidence the two schools are being watched closely by the NCAA. Or perhaps it’s just pure coincidence and both programs were very comfortable with taking on one-and-done players.
Brandon Jennings, shown shaking hands with NBA commissioner David Stern, became a pioneer of sorts after playing in Europe for one season and being drafted by the Bucks this past June.
The 2009 draft also had two unique circumstances. The first was the selection of Brandon Jennings (Getty Images photo) at No. 10 by the Milwaukee Bucks. Jennings became the first player who skipped college to play in Europe for one year to get drafted. It’s no surprise that at least two others (Jeremy Tyler and Latavious Williams) have followed his lead. The second unique selection of 2009 was the selection of Patrick Beverley at No. 42 by the Los Angeles Lakers, who then trade him to the Miami Heat. Beverley played at the University of Arkansas before leaving early to play in Ukraine for a season. Now after an unorthodox path, he’ll get to try his hand in the NBA.
Here are the number of selections in the ‘09 draft based on experience (first-round total in parenthesis):
- Freshmen: 4 (4)
- Sophomores: 9 (6)
- Juniors: 12 (8)
- Seniors: 22 (6)
- Foreigners: 11 (5)
- Miscellaneous: 2 (Jennings and Beverley)
Arin Karimian
