SANDERS DRAFTED 15TH OVERALL TO THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS

[xjohnx]

Press release from VCU Athletic Department, for immediate release.

June 24, 2010

SANDERS DRAFTED 15TH OVERALL TO THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS

RICHMOND, Va. – Of the 275 non-BCS schools that play NCAA Division I Basketball, only three schools had ever had back-to-back first round NBA draft picks entering Thursday night.

That list grew by one as Virginia Commonwealth University joined Memphis, Utah and UNLV after Larry Sanders (Fort Pierce, Fla.) was taken with the 15th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I’m really at a loss for words right now,” Sanders said. “Three years ago, I never even thought about playing among the best players in the world and to have it become reality is very, very special.”

Sanders joins Ram great Eric Maynor, who was selected in the first round last year by the Utah Jazz. VCU is also the only school in the Commonwealth of Virginia to garner back-to-back first round choices.

“We’re really excited for Larry and the opportunity he has at the next level,” Head Coach Shaka Smart said. “To have back-to-back first round draft picks is something that few schools can boast. It says a lot about the support our fans have given this program for many, many years. It shows our young guys that with winning comes these types of opportunities.”

In his three seasons with the Black & Gold, Sanders aided the Rams to a 75-27 record, two Colonial Athletic Association regular-season championships and one CAA tournament championship.

“I couldn’t have done all of this without my teammates,” Sanders commented. “My teammates were the ones who worked hard every day at practice and helped me elevate my game on a daily basis. I will never forget these guys that have become my brothers over the past three years.”

In 2009-10, he led the team in scoring (14.4), rebounds per game (9.1) and field-goal percentage (53.4%). All three were career-highs and helped him earn a spot on the All-CAA First Team. The honor was his second straight all-conference accolade as Sanders was named to the All-CAA Second Team during his sophomore campaign.

In March, Sanders earned his second consecutive CAA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2008-09 and 2009-10. His length, athleticism and quickness are what drew over 180 NBA Scouts to VCU games this past season.

“Coming to VCU was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Sanders said. “This place is one close-knit family, from the fans to the coaches to the players. Everyone has each other’s back and this place is the main reason I am able to take this next step.”

Sanders concludes his Black & Gold career with 1,044 points (27th all-time at VCU), 776 rebounds (fourth all-time), 277 blocks (second all-time) and 28 double-doubles (third all-time).

 

[KentuckyRam]

Congratulations Larry. Its a big day for all of us.

 

[ChiaPete]

...I missed it. Does anyone have a link to video? did they interview him?

nevermind saw the other thread...

 

[VCUFTW]

doesnt seem to be a lot of talk about this unlike last year with eric. Could it be because larry didnt stay four years or go hard for the 3 that he was here? or because we had a first rounder last year and it isnt as exciting this time around?

 

[BaNgMyPrOgRaM]

4 yrs vs 3. Plus Eric is Amazing.

 

[RamJamFan]

Quotes from Larry in press release praising athletic department, school and team was first class. RamNation is proud of your contributions, Larry, and we wish you much future succss!

 

[districtballer]

Absolutely great stuff tonight and frankly unexpected. In hindsight, no one can hate on his decision to leave early given what transpired. He was the first pick out of the lottery.

Larry becomes the earliest draftee in VCU history and I believe in the history of the CAA since David Robinson went #1 over 20 years ago. This is all the more impressive considering he was the CAA and VCU's first early entry draftee as well. Doing this in 3 years makes it even more special. VCU becomes the first school in the history of the state of Virginia to have back-to-back NBA draft picks.

Congratulations Larry and VCU who just got a ton of pub and exposure with tons of high school recruits watching the draft.

 

[mrA10]

The Bucks just got another fan

 

[districtballer]

From USA Today...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-06-24-3334371430_x.htm

The Milwaukee Bucks figured out how to get to the postseason. After a first-round exit, coach Scott Skiles and general manager John Hammond saw what they'll need to advance.

"We went with size tonight," Skiles said Thursday.

"The more you can control the painted area with people that are intimidating and can knock things out of there, it's very, very important," Skiles said.

Hammond said they love Sanders' athleticism and length despite the fact he only started playing basketball in high school.

Sanders' rapid ascent and defensive skills made him too tantalizing to pass up.

"I had a feeling, and it came true," Sanders said by phone from Richmond, Va. "I personally felt a good connection as soon as I stepped off the plane in Milwaukee."

"He's a very intriguing player," Skiles said. "He's going to be able to block shots, rebound, run the floor, do those things initially and then the other things will come around as time goes on."

Sanders agreed.

"I think I can develop a lot. I started playing basketball late, but I think my dedication to working hard and my energy allows me to catch other players and my ability to learn," the forward said. "I love to learn and I think being in a situation like that with Brandon Jennings and the coaching staff, I think I can learn more than ever."

 

[districtballer]

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch...

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2010/jun/25/draf25b-ar-231194/

Sanders didn't begin playing organized basketball until his sophomore year in high school. He said shortly after being picked that he was "on another planet right now."

"I can't put into words what this moment means to me," he said. "When I came to VCU, I didn't dream of being in this position, and to have this happen to me is a dream come true."

Sanders watched the draft at VCU with Maynor and some friends.

"Eric called it right before it happened," Sanders said.

"I'm just going there to learn," Sanders said. "That's my mindset. That's what I did when I came to college, and that's what I want to continue to do."

Sanders, who is from Fort Pierce, Fla., said his predraft workout for Milwaukee was among his best.

"It's funny because there were a couple of cities that really surprised me when I was working out for them and Milwaukee was one of the top ones," he said. "It's a little bit colder than I'm used to, but the city overall is really a cool city. It's got the old historic feel mixed with an upbeat city environment. I'm really excited about getting up there."

 

[districtballer]

CBSSports.com gave the Milwaukee Bucks an 'A' grade for their pick of Larry at 15:

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/13555767

 

[districtballer]

From Larry's hometown paper...

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/jun/24/former-port-st-lucie-star-taken-by-bucks-in-nba/

“Dreams really do come true, but only if you work for every inch,” said Sanders, who thanked all his supporters in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce.

Port St. Lucie High School High School basketball coach Kareem Rodriguez said Sanders dedicated himself to improve his game.

“From where he came from, for him to be one pick outside of the lottery, that's amazing and it shows the commitment he put into the game of basketball,” said Rodriguez, who was in Richmond, Va., with Sanders for the draft.

Sanders said he received a call from the Bucks moments before the official announcement, but kept it to himself until NBA Commissioner David Stern declared Milwaukee's selection on ESPN.

"It was really emotional for me,” Sanders said. “I've never wanted something so much in my life and for it to happen, it's just amazing. I'm really speechless."

His mother, Marilyn Sanders, said she never doubted her son's abilities.

“I'm so happy and proud of him and relieved this part is over," his mother said. "We were waiting to see where he would go, and it was a little nerve-wracking.

“With his determination, I imagined he could go as far as he wanted to go. He is very strong-willed and determined. ... We're all just so proud of him. I guess I've got to get some Milwaukee shirts now.”

 

[districtballer]

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel...

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/97134354.html

“He is easily the fastest big in the draft and maybe one of the fastest players, flat out in the draft,” Hammond said. “The guy’s speed from end line to end line is absolutely amazing for a guy his size. And he runs so easy.

“He has great length, is an excellent shot blocker and rebounds the ball. We love the fact he does the simple things; he keeps the ball above his head for easy put-backs. He is still a little bit raw offensively, but we liked his imagination and the fact he feels like he can be a good offensive player.”

Bucks coach Scott Skiles said the team needed to add length.

“We need speed, we need athleticism and we need length, and he has all three of those,” Skiles said of Sanders. “I’m pretty comfortable that he’s going to be able to block shots, rebound and run the floor, and the other things will come around as time goes on.”

Sanders said he never counted on being the first non-lottery pick in the draft or going as high as No. 15.

“I know I had great workouts, and I know I worked out very well there (in Milwaukee) and my interview went well,” Sanders said. “Did I know? I didn’t.

“Did I expect it? No I didn’t. I think it’s a great honor. I’m just happy to be picked, period.”

 

[districtballer]

This is interesting from the Journal-Sentinel blog... Bucks' GM John Hammond and Head Coach Scott Skiles on Larry Sanders being a 'project':

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/97132354.html

Bucks general manager John Hammond said he doesn't consider 6-foot-11 power forward Larry Sanders a project.

The Bucks took Sanders with the 15th pick in the first round of Thursday's NBA draft, a move made to bolster the team's length and athleticism.

"It all comes down to opportunity," Hammond said in his remarks after the Bucks made four picks in the draft. "And if a guy gets an opportunity and performs, people don't call him a project. They say he can play.

"I hate saying, 'This guy is going to be a project; we're going to have to wait on him. Especially when you're talking about the 15th pick in the draft. You hope a guy can get on the floor. Once again, a guy has to deserve the right to play. No gifts."

"We do extensive background on all these guys," Skiles said. "Because he didn't have a huge high school career and is a late-blooming type player, guys like that get better because they are conscientious and have worked hard.

"Just as a small thing, his free throw percentage has improved every year. Coupled with the size and athleticism, you come in here and start working with the other players we have in here, you're going to get better. We're pretty confident he's going to fit right in."

It's probably spin for the most part, but it does seem like Larry will got a real shot at minutes in the rotation from the get-go. That itself is promising. He's in a good situation and it's up to him to put in the work and show he belongs.

 

[Mistachill]

Where the heck have you been? I was thinking the opposite, in my opinion Larry got more buzz than Eric did.

doesnt seem to be a lot of talk about this unlike last year with eric. Could it be because larry didnt stay four years or go hard for the 3 that he was here? or because we had a first rounder last year and it isnt as exciting this time around?