Photo by Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers had four picks in the 2011 NBA draft, all in the 2nd round. Here is a complete recap of what went down on Thursday night!
Darius Morris – Round 2 – Pick 41
Hailing from Winward High School in west Los Angeles, Darius Morris attended Michigan University, where he broke the UM single-season record for assists with 235. Morris recorded just the third triple-double in UM history against Iowa on Jan. 30 with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Morris scored 15 points per game this past season for the Wolverines, leading the conference in assists with almost seven assists per game. While his three-point shooting has been an issue (shooting only 25% this last year), his pass-first mentality should be a welcome addition to a Lakers team loaded with stars.
At times, Morris was projected to be a mid-first round talent, whose draft stock fluctuated in the final days leading up to the draft.
The LA Times reports that the Lakers felt they got a steal by getting Morris at 41:
“According to my agent, [the Lakers] didn’t think I was going to be around” to be picked 41st, said Morris. “But that’s how things fall and I’m very excited to capitalize on the opportunity.”
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak on Darius Morris:
“We think and we’re hoping that they both can make the team,” Kupchak said. “We’re hoping at the least one of the players can make the team.”
Photo by Streeter Lecka | Getty Images
Andrew Goudelock – Round 2 – Pick 46
Andrew Goudelock comes from the College of Charleston, a small Division I school in the Southeastern Conference, where Goudelock established himself as a scoring machine.
Averaging 23.7 points with 45.5% shooting this last season, Goudelock set program records in points (2,571) while putting himself fourth-best in assists (424).
Most important to Goudelock’s draft stock is the 40.7% he shot from three-point range, additionally winning the college 3-Point Shooting Championship this past March. Having been drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters on Tuesday, Goudelock is well-established as a dead-eye shooter that can bolster the Lakers outside shooting woes from the past season.
Goudelock seemed very confident in his game when asked about the transiiton to the NBA:
“I’m not afraid of anybody,” Goudelock said. “Whenever I have that confidence with me, I think it bodes well when I’m playing against competition because I don’t care who it is. When I step on that floor, I’m giving it 150% and I’m going to try to kill them.”
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak on Andrew Goudelock:
“It’s possible,” Kupchak said when asked if it’s realistic that Goudelock’s strong shooting will carry over to the pros. “A lot of it is going to depend on how he fits in with our new system and new coach. His confidence, being a four-year player, will probably have more confidence than a player who’s 19 or 20. He’s a seasoned player and played for a very good coach at College of Charleston. We know him very well as a player. He seems to have a lot of confidence.”
Photo by Brendon Thorne | Getty Images
Chukwudiebere Maduabum* – Round 2 – Pick 56
NOTE: TRADED TO DENVER FOR FUTURE 2nd ROUND PICK
Not much was known about Maduabum, who was picked up from the NBA D-League Bakersfield Jam by the Lakers. The rights to Maduabum have since been traded to the Denver Nuggets for a future second round pick.
The pick was met by much confusion from the ESPN draft panel, with ESPN analyst Fraschilla, who specializes in foreign-born players, ripping the Lakers on the pick, simply saying, “They’re wrong.”
Maduabum averaged 0.7 points and 0.3 rebounds per game in his time with the Jam. (*Not Pictured)
Ater Majok – Round 2 – Pick 58
NOTE:Will play overseas in immediate future
Majok’s stock lies entirely upon his blocking ability, where he averaged 1.6 blocks per game in his short season with UConn in 2009. Majok left for Turkey, where he played professional with FMV Isikspor Istanbul, tallying 13.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in seven games.
After Turkey, Majok played much of 2011 with Australian Perth Wildcats and the Gold Coast Blaze. According to Mitch Kupchak, Majok will continue to play overseas for the immediate future to develop his skills.
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