Best Big 12 Player Drafted #5: Tony Battie, Texas Tech Red Raiders, by the Denver Nuggets in 1997.
Despite averaging a double-double his junior year at Tech, and despite currently in the midst of a 13-year NBA career, Battie is probably best known as the guy who might have saved Paul Pierce's life after Pierce was the victim of a near-fatal stabbing in 2000. According to reports, Pierce was at the Buzz Club in Boston and was trying to separate a fight when he was stabbed 11 times in the face, neck and back. A teammate of Pierce's, Battie and his brother rushed Pierce to the nearest hospital, potentially saving his life.
Other Notable Big 12 Players Drafted 5th: None.
Best Non-Big 12 Player Drafted 5th: Nikoloz Tskitishvili Dwyane Wade, Marquette Golden Eagles, by the Miami Heat in 2003.
Tehre's not much to say about Wade that wasn't said during the NBA Playoffs. The guy is one of the best in the game and edges out tough competition from Kevin Love as the best fifth pick since the start of the Big 12 (spoiler, you might see another member of the Class of 2003 on this list).
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.
Follow Big 12 Hoops on Twitter @bigXIIhoops
LIKE Big 12 Hoops on Facebook
Loading comments...