Arizona Basketball: Wildcats have dominated ASU in the NBA Draft

Arizona Basketball is the No.1 college basketball school in the state for many reasons, including having the most players selected in the NBA Draft.

Since the inception of the NBA Draft in 1947, the Arizona Basketball program has had more players drafted then most schools including the rivals up north, the Arizona State Sun Devils. They claim to be a basketball school, yet they really don’t have much to show for yet. Numbers don’t lie.

The Wildcats have had 72 players drafted in the NBA, where as the Sun Devils have only had 36. Now there have been players who weren’t drafted into the NBA, but still signed to a team, either through a two-way contract or as an unrestricted free agent. The Wildcats still dominate the Sun Devils in those categories too.

There are currently 10 Wildcats who have contracts with NBA teams, compared to the Sun Devils one, James Harden. Yes, he is one of the best in the game today, but he is just one player. The Wildcats have had multiple current and former players who were the best during their time in the league.  Break it down even further, there is one Wildcat in particular Andre Iguodala who has won multiple NBA Championships and even a NBA Finals MVP. How many has Harden won? Exactly.

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The Wildcats even have a former NBA player, Steve Kerr, who has been the head coach for one of the greatest teams in NBA history. He has become a NBA legend, winning multiple NBA Championships as a player and as a coach. Does the Sun Devils have anyone who has done that? Nope.

Plus, if you take into account former Wildcats that have also played in the G-League and overseas, they dominate in those categories as well.

This past NBA Draft, neither school had a player drafted, but were signed by teams after the draft concluded. Brandon Randolph was signed to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves summer league teams. Luguentz Dort and Zylan Cheatham were both signed to two-way contracts.

At the end of day, no matter which way you look at it, Arizona Basketball dominates the Arizona State Sun Devils when it comes to those drafted in the NBA. Numbers, records, championships don’t lie.

Wildcat players that have been drafted in the NBA have produced on both the college and professional level. Sun Devils players just haven’t. How many Pac-10/Pac-12 championship National Championship banners do you see hanging up in Wells Fargo Arena? How many NBA Titles do they have?

Next time you hear a Sun Devils fan say they are basketball school, do what Lute Olson did once, point at the scoreboard. Facts.

At Zona Zealots, we know who the best school in the state of Arizona, the Wildcats! They will continue to dominate the hardwood for years to come. Bear Down, Arizona!