LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Former UK men?s basketball player Joe Crawford was selected in the second round (58th overall) of Thursday night?s NBA Draft by the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Crawford, a second-team All-SEC selection, led the team and ranked fourth in the league in scoring last season, averaging 17.9 ppg. He also hit a team high 63 three-pointers.
“When the day started I was really nervous,” Crawford said. “Then to go to one of my favorite teams in L.A, I can’t explain it (the feeling).”
The Detroit, Mich., native finished his career ranked 19th on Kentucky?s all-time scoring list with 1,438 points. He put his offensive skills on display, tying a career high with 35 points in UK?s NCAA first round game against Marquette.
Crawford is the 91st Wildcat to be drafted into the NBA and the fifth former UK player to be drafted since 2000.