Greg Hansen's top 10 NBA Draft busts from the UA
- Updated
Derrick Williams, the No. 2 overall pick in 2011, tops the list.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Editor’s note: This summer, Star columnist Greg Hansen is counting down the top 10 of just about everything related to Tucson sports.
Today’s list: The top NBA Draft busts from UA.
Larry Demic was the first of Arizona’s NBA first-round draft picks, selected No. 9 by the New York Knicks in 1979.
He was also the most unlikely of what has grown to be 21 first-round selections.
Demic was a 6-foot 9-inch power forward from Gary, Indiana, who chose Arizona over Lute Olson’s Iowa Hawkeyes in 1974. But Demic’s first two seasons at McKale Center were spent on the end of the bench: He scored just four points as a freshman and 38 as a sophomore.
But in the UA’s first season in the Pac-10, 1978-79, he became the school’s franchise player, a power forward who averaged 19.3 points and 10.7 rebounds and became Arizona’s first All-Pac-10 player.
He was in such demand in June 1979 that the Houston Rockets, choosing 17th, and the Indiana Pacers, at No. 13, phoned UA coach Fred Snowden, informing him they would select Demic in the first round.
But the Knicks, at No. 9, beat them to it.
Demic seemed floored by the attention. On his visit to New York, he jokingly said he considered asking coach Red Holzman for his autograph.
“I hate to leave this place,” Demic said after being drafted. “Heck, even when I wasn’t playing I enjoyed it. I lived in Babcock Hall (a dormitory) for four years, so I don’t need to live in a penthouse in New York.”
Demic signed a three-year deal worth an estimated $300,000 for the Knicks. He was not offered a second contract for the 1982-83 season.
His NBA career was a modest one: 4.7 points per game in 206 games. He played three more years, jumping from the CBA to professional teams in Italy, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Demic’s NBA career did not meet expected standards for the No. 9 overall selection, but it isn’t unusual.
Nine other Wildcat draft picks struggled once they left McKale Center.
Here’s my list of the 10 Wildcats who did not fare well after the NBA Draft.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
After a colossal finish to the UA’s 2010-11 season, one shot shy of the Final Four in which Williams became the Pac-12 Player of the Year, he has struggled in the NBA. He has started just 112 of a possible 492 games. His career average is 8.9 points and 21 minutes per game. He played just 38 minutes for Cleveland in the NBA playoffs this year.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
After his brief pro career, Demic relocated to Anaheim, California, and later Las Vegas, where he has worked in the office supplies business. He turns 60 on June 27.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Chosen No. 24 overall after helping Arizona to No. 1 rankings in 1988 and 1989, Cook struggled in the NBA, playing just 116 games and averaging 3.6 points. The slender power forward played more in Greece and Italy than the NBA.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Jumping from the UA after his sophomore season, Williams was the No. 33 overall choice. He played 39 NBA minutes.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
One of the top distance shooters in college basketball history, Stoudamire’s NBA career was limited to 157 games after he became the first player chosen in the second round, No. 31 overall. He shot just 36 percent on 3-pointers in the NBA.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The 7-footer was taken No. 35 overall but played in just four NBA games and scored three career points. He spent 10 years playing on 12 foreign pro teams, from Cyprus to Argentina and Italy.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
After being the MVP of the 1997 Final Four, and a projected first-round selection, Simon returned for his senior year in Tucson and was taken No. 42 overall. His NBA totals: five games and two points.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The first UA player to jump to the NBA with two years of eligibility remaining, Norman was the 37th overall choice in 1974. He played in just 99 NBA games.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Leaving Arizona after one season as a reserve, Jerrett was chosen 40th overall. His NBA career: one basket in 15 shots. ASU’s Carrick Felix, chosen 33rd in the same draft, didn’t fare much better, playing in just seven NBA games.
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Chosen 30th overall, Fleming, a three-time All-WAC forward, played in just 20 NBA games in his one NBA season. He played seven years in Portugal, Sweden, Uruguay and Israel.
Editor’s note: This summer, Star columnist Greg Hansen is counting down the top 10 of just about everything related to Tucson sports.
Today’s list: The top NBA Draft busts from UA.
Larry Demic was the first of Arizona’s NBA first-round draft picks, selected No. 9 by the New York Knicks in 1979.
He was also the most unlikely of what has grown to be 21 first-round selections.
Demic was a 6-foot 9-inch power forward from Gary, Indiana, who chose Arizona over Lute Olson’s Iowa Hawkeyes in 1974. But Demic’s first two seasons at McKale Center were spent on the end of the bench: He scored just four points as a freshman and 38 as a sophomore.
But in the UA’s first season in the Pac-10, 1978-79, he became the school’s franchise player, a power forward who averaged 19.3 points and 10.7 rebounds and became Arizona’s first All-Pac-10 player.
He was in such demand in June 1979 that the Houston Rockets, choosing 17th, and the Indiana Pacers, at No. 13, phoned UA coach Fred Snowden, informing him they would select Demic in the first round.
But the Knicks, at No. 9, beat them to it.
Demic seemed floored by the attention. On his visit to New York, he jokingly said he considered asking coach Red Holzman for his autograph.
“I hate to leave this place,” Demic said after being drafted. “Heck, even when I wasn’t playing I enjoyed it. I lived in Babcock Hall (a dormitory) for four years, so I don’t need to live in a penthouse in New York.”
Demic signed a three-year deal worth an estimated $300,000 for the Knicks. He was not offered a second contract for the 1982-83 season.
His NBA career was a modest one: 4.7 points per game in 206 games. He played three more years, jumping from the CBA to professional teams in Italy, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Demic’s NBA career did not meet expected standards for the No. 9 overall selection, but it isn’t unusual.
Nine other Wildcat draft picks struggled once they left McKale Center.
Here’s my list of the 10 Wildcats who did not fare well after the NBA Draft.
After a colossal finish to the UA’s 2010-11 season, one shot shy of the Final Four in which Williams became the Pac-12 Player of the Year, he has struggled in the NBA. He has started just 112 of a possible 492 games. His career average is 8.9 points and 21 minutes per game. He played just 38 minutes for Cleveland in the NBA playoffs this year.
After his brief pro career, Demic relocated to Anaheim, California, and later Las Vegas, where he has worked in the office supplies business. He turns 60 on June 27.
Chosen No. 24 overall after helping Arizona to No. 1 rankings in 1988 and 1989, Cook struggled in the NBA, playing just 116 games and averaging 3.6 points. The slender power forward played more in Greece and Italy than the NBA.
Jumping from the UA after his sophomore season, Williams was the No. 33 overall choice. He played 39 NBA minutes.
One of the top distance shooters in college basketball history, Stoudamire’s NBA career was limited to 157 games after he became the first player chosen in the second round, No. 31 overall. He shot just 36 percent on 3-pointers in the NBA.
The 7-footer was taken No. 35 overall but played in just four NBA games and scored three career points. He spent 10 years playing on 12 foreign pro teams, from Cyprus to Argentina and Italy.
After being the MVP of the 1997 Final Four, and a projected first-round selection, Simon returned for his senior year in Tucson and was taken No. 42 overall. His NBA totals: five games and two points.
The first UA player to jump to the NBA with two years of eligibility remaining, Norman was the 37th overall choice in 1974. He played in just 99 NBA games.
Leaving Arizona after one season as a reserve, Jerrett was chosen 40th overall. His NBA career: one basket in 15 shots. ASU’s Carrick Felix, chosen 33rd in the same draft, didn’t fare much better, playing in just seven NBA games.
Chosen 30th overall, Fleming, a three-time All-WAC forward, played in just 20 NBA games in his one NBA season. He played seven years in Portugal, Sweden, Uruguay and Israel.
Tags
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
A list of places that will be open on Christmas Day 2025
-
New eats! 10 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this fall
-
Ring in 2026 at these fun local New Year's Eve events 🥳
-
Over 20 fun events to do in Tucson December 26-28 💖
-
Over 40 free events happening in Tucson this December! ⛄
-
Tania's 33 and 12 other places to find bomb menudo in Tucson