NBA Draft 2011: A Look Back At The Past #48 Picks

The Atlanta Hawks only have a second round pick (Pick #48) in this year’s NBA Draft, but it’s still somewhat intriguing which new young prospect the Hawks will acquire. Today, we look back at the past #48 picks and see how they did or are doing in their NBA career.

I’m only going as far as 1989, the year the NBA decided to only have 2 rounds in Draft Night.

Past #48 NBA Draft Picks:

1989, Junie Lewis: Junie Lewis (Eugene Lewis) is a 6’1 PG who played for the University of South Alabama. In his three seasons in South Alabama, he averaged 18.9 ppg as a sophomore, 21.7 as a junior, and 17.7 as a junior. He was eventually drafted by the Utah Jazz. Unfortunately, he never even played in an NBA regular season game as he was cut by the Utah Jazz even before training camp ended. Drug use played a part in him being cut. Today, Eugene Lewis is a role model in his community and is now an assistant pastor.

1990, Cedric Ceballos: Cedric Ceballos is a 6’7 Small Forward who played his college ball in Cal State Fullerton. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns and became a pretty solid NBA player. He once led the NBA in FG% (57.6) in 1992-1993 with the Suns. He was also a one time NBA All-Star with the 1994-1995 Los Angeles Lakers. However, when I think of Cedric Ceballos, the first thought in my mind isn’t his NBA career,  I immediately think of his dunk contest win and his blindfold performance. Today, Cedric Ceballos is on tour with the “USA Legends”.

1991, Isaac Austin: Isaac Austin is a 6’10 Center who played his college ball in Arizona State. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1991, but he didn’t make an impact, only averaging 2 ppg and 1.1 rpg in his rookie season. He didn’t make an impact in the NBA world until 1997, when he averaged 9.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg and went on to receive the NBA Most Improved Player Award. His best season came after that as he averaged 13.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg playing for the Miami Heat & Los Angeles Clippers. He slowly regressed after that season. Today, Isaac Austin is retired….probably tutoring his nephew, one of the most high ranked college recruits today.

1992, Brian Davis: Brian Davis is a 6’7 Small Forward who played college ball in Duke University, where he played 141 career games (6th on all-time list). Brian Davis had a short NBA career though, only playing in 68 NBA games and scoring a total of 131 points (1.9 ppg).

1993, Kevin Thompson: Kevin Thompson is a 6’10 Center who was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers. He had a really really short NBA career as he only played 14 NBA games averaging .9 ppg and .9 rpg.

1994, Jevon Crudup: Jevon Crudup is a 6’6 Power Forward that played for the University of Missouri. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons, but he went on to play in Europe. End of NBA career. That’s what happens when you’re 6’6 and you’re playing Power Forward.

1995, Mark Davis: Mark Davis is a 6’7 Small Forward. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His basketball career is all over the place as he played for 14 different basketball teams, some in the NBA, some in the Euroleague, some in the D-League. Nothing special.

1996, Jamie Feick: Jamie Feick is a 6’9 Center that played for Michigan State in college. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers and played 5 seasons in the NBA, for 4 different teams. He played in 201 games and scored a total of 911 points in his career. His career ended shorter than expected when he suffered a career ending achilles’ heel injury.

1997, Alvin Williams: Alvin Williams is a 6’5 Point Guard who played for Villanova and later on drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers. He played one season with the Portland Trail Blazers before going on to play for the Toronto Raptors from 1998-2005.  He is now currently the Director of Player Development for the Toronto Raptors organization.

1998, Ryan Stack: Ryan Stack is a Center who played his college ball in South Carolina. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but saw limited playing time, only playing 43 games in 2 seasons. He went on to play pro in Europe.

1999, Galen Young: Galen Young is a 6’7 Forward who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. His NBA career stopped there and he currently plays in New Zealand for the Hawke’s Bay Hawks (Weird team name…).

After the jump, we look back at players selected #48 in the year 2000-2010.

2000, Mark Karcher: Mark Karcher is a Guard/Forward who was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. He participated in training camp with the team, but he never played a game with them. He went on to play in the NBA D-League for a short while before heading overseas. He is now a retired basketball player, and he is now the coach of his  high school alma mater.

2001, Antonis Fotsis: Antonis Fotsis has one of the coolest names I’ve seen. He’s a 6’10 Power Forward who was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He only played one season for them, playing in 28 games, averaging 3.9 rpg and 2.2 rpg. He went on to play in the Spanish League afterwards. He is currently playing in Greece, and is one of the captains for the Greek national basketball team.

2002, Chris Owens: Chris Owens is a 6’8 Power Forward who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and later on traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. His NBA career lasted a total of one NBA game, where he scored 4 points. He currently plays overseas in Ukraine.

2003, James Lang: James Lang is a 6’10 Center drafted by the New Orleans Hornets. His NBA career was cut short as he was waived in the regular season of his rookie year. He played in the NBA D-League for two seasons before having another shot in the NBA in 2006, signing some 10 day contracts. Unfortunately, a team didn’t take the chance and give him a full length contract. Today, James Lang is retired because he suffered a life threatening stroke in December of 2009. He is paralyzed on the left side of his body.

2004, Pape Sow: Pape Sow (Really close to the name Pape Sy…no relation) is a 6’10 Power Forward who was drafted by the Miami Heat and later on traded to the Toronto Raptors. He played for 2 seasons for the Toronto Raptors, before going overseas and playing in the Euro League.

2005, Mickael Gelabale: Mickael is a 6’7 Small Forward drafted by former Sonics GM and current Hawks GM, Rick Sund, in the 2005 Draft. He stayed overseas in 2005 but later on signed a contract with the Sonics in 2006. He saw limited playing time there. He currently plays in the Euro League with France.

2006, Vladimir Veremeenko: Vladimir is a 6’11 Power Forward drafted by the Washington Wizards. However, he did’t even get to put on an NBA uniform as he stayed overseas and played in Russia. In July of 2008, Washington traded the rights to Veremeenko to Chicago in a deal that sent Kirk Hinrich to the Washington Wizards. Veremeenko has still yet to put on an NBA uniform.

2007, Marc Gasol: Marc Gasol is a 7’1 Center that was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2008, his draft rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as a part of a trade that sent his brother, Pau Gasol, to the Los Angeles Lakers. Marc Gasol currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies right now and is looked at as one of the top Centers in the entire NBA.

2008, Malik Hairston: Malik Hairston is a 6’6 Guard/Forward drafted by the Phoenix Suns. He was traded to the San Antonio Spurs for Goran Dragic. In San Antonio, Malik Hairston was cut, re-signed, then cut again. He now plays overseas in Italy.

2009, Taylor Griffin: Taylor Griffin is the brother of Blake Griffin. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the same physical tools as his brother. Taylor Griffin was drafted by the Phoenix Suns, but saw limited playing time and was later on waived by the team. He now plays overseas in Belgium.

2010, Latavious Williams: Latavious Williams made NBA history last year as being the first player ever to skip college basketball and play a year in the NBA D-League before getting drafted in the NBA. He’s also the very first player to ever go from high school to the D-League. Latavious was drafted by the Miami Heat, but was later on traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the 2010-2011 NBA Season, Williams spent his time in Tulsa, playing for the 66ers (the D-League affiliate of the OKC Thunder).

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As you can probably tell, the #48 pick hasn’t had much luck in the past 22 years with the exception of maybe 2 or 3 players. Cedric Ceballos, Isaac Austin, and Marc Gasol are really the only 3 players that were drafted #48 that really found some success in the NBA.

With the NBA Draft approaching, let’s hope that that this year’s #48 player will defy the odds and becomes a solid NBA pro.