Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma basketball: Sooners’ Top-Eight NBA Draft picks

By Chip Rouse

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media prior to the start of the NBA 2K League Draft at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media prior to the start of the NBA 2K League Draft at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 15: Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers is defended by Joe Johnson #6 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center on April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 15: Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers is defended by Joe Johnson #6 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center on April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – Blake Griffin, Forward, 2007-09

Blake Griffin owns the distinction of being the only Sooner player to be selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft. He was the top draft pick of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009.

The 2009 college player of the year (winner of both the Naismith Award and the Wooden Award) missed his entire first season in the NBA because of an injury, which delayed his rookie season, but when he made his professional debut the following season, Griffin was an instant force to be reckoned with. He averaged 20.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game in 2010-11 and was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Griffin wasted little time in proving his NBA worthiness and has been an All-Star in five of the eight seasons he has been in the league.

Griffin played seven and a half seasons with the Clippers in Los Angeles. He was traded to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 29 this year.

Through eight NBA seasons, the former OU All-American is averaging 22.1 points and 9.4 rebounds. Griffin has been plagued by injuries during his time in the NBA, but he should have a number of good years remaining to add to his already impressive stat lines.

An Oklahoma native, Griffin asked for and received permission from former Sooner great Wayman Tisdale to wear jersey No. 23. That number was first retired in 1997. Now, the number is recognized twice — once for Tisdale and again for Griffin — among the honored Oklahoma basketball jersey numbers that are proudly displayed in the rafters at Lloyd Noble Center.

Home/OU Basketball