[NU Sports] NU Hoopsters to NBA?

[dave bradley]

Since many of you on the list are so well-versed on the details of all of NU's sports teams & athletes, I've hesitated to ask for what many may consider "every day" knowledge...but after yet another round of harassment from the guys I play hoops with each week about the lack of Northwestern alumni in the NBA, I just had to ask the experts and see if the list is as short as I have found so far (not to be considered an exhaustive search).  So far I have this:

1. Evan Eschmeyer ‘99
Drafted in 2nd round of 1999 NBA draft by New Jersey Nets. played four seasons – the Nets from 1999-2001 and the Dallas Mavericks from 2001-2003. In October 2004, retired from basketball because of knee problems, since enrolled at the Northwestern University School of Law and the Kellogg School of Management where he is pursuing a JD/MBA degree in Chicago and Evanston.

2. Billy McKinney 
(NU nickname “Billy Z”, from Zion, Illinois) ‘77 (my class)
Drafted in 6th round in the 1977 NBA Draft,  played seven seasons in the league, beginning with the Kansas City Kings, then  Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, San Diego Clippers and Chicago Bulls.  Now a sportscaster (radio analysis) for Timberwolves

3. Joe Ruklick ‘59
Drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 2nd round of the 1959 NBA draft (the same draft they selected Wilt Chamberlain), he played three seasons.  A reserve, he was on the team when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 in one game in 1962, & got the assist on Chamberlain's final basket that night....(my daughter met him on an airline flight home last year, she ended up sitting next to Craig Moore on same flight....eerie).

4. Phil Warren ‘59
Drafted 11th by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959 NBA draft.Don't think he became roster player.

5. Nick Mantis ‘59
Drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 5th round of the 1959 NBA draft. Played with Kansas City Steers in ABL (2nd Team All-League ’61-62 season).

<3 guys from the '59 team got drafted and they didn't even win the Big 10!> 

And...expanding the list to include "professional" basketball ball..

6. Jitim Young ‘04
Plays for the Minot Skyrockets (North Dakota) in the Continental Basketball Association, currently 5th in Assists per Game (4.6).

7. Vedran Vukusic '06
Playing for HAPOEL IRONI NAHARIYA (Israel), part of a European basketball league.


Are there others that went to NBA or is this it?

Thanks.



dave bradley
(717) 687-5355
ddave at NUsports.com