Best Big 12 Player Drafted #6: Ekpe Udoh, Baylor Bears, by the Golden State Warriors in 2010.
Big 12 fans hardly knew Ekpe. He came over from Michigan and played just a season in the conference before departing to the NBA. During his year in Waco, he was one of the most dominant players in the league, averaging 13.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while blocking 133 shots on the season. His rookie year in the Association, was a struggle. While he saw a decent 17 minutes per game, he only scored 4.1 points, in a score-happy offense, while grabbing 3.1 rebounds and blocking 1.5 shots per game. I think with his length and natural ability, he will progress, especially in the Warriors offensive scheme.
Other Notable Big 12 Players Drafted 6th: None.
Best Non-Big 12 Player Drafted 6th: Shane Battier, Duke Blue Devils, by the Vancouver Grizzlies in 2001.
Defense wins championships and Battier gives 110% on D, so I went with Battier's D over Brandon Roy, who can really light up the scoreboard and rain threes. Battier is also a team player, especially in gut-check time or when you want to play hardball. So even though Roy may be in a league of his own, Battier answers the bell and choosing him was a slam dunk.
* This cliché driven analysis is homage to Battier, who during his senior year at Duke intentionally stayed away from using any of the sports clichés most players use in interviews, instead opting to come up with original answers to media questions.
In preparation for the 2011 NBA Draft, each day until June 23 we'll count down the best Big 12 player drafted with each pick. This list only takes into account players who played in the Big 12, so it starts with the 1997 draft. In total 70 Big 12 alumni have been selected, filling 43 of the 60 possible slots.
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