[NU Sports] NU Hoopsters to NBA?

Sanford_Stein at rush.edu Sanford_Stein at rush.edu
Mon Mar 19 13:01:16 CST 2007


Don Adams, class of 1970, had a seven-year NBA career, with the Pistons, 
Hawks, Braves and Rockets





"dave bradley" <ddave at nusports.com> 
Sent by: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com
03/19/2007 01:54 PM
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[NU Sports] NU Hoopsters to NBA?






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


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