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Alabama Basketball: NBA Draft June 22, Tide’s draft count zero again

By Ronald Evans

Mar 9, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson during the first half of game four of the SEC Conference Tournament against theMississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson during the first half of game four of the SEC Conference Tournament against theMississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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How long has the Alabama basketball NBD Draft drought lasted? If it had been a meteorological event the state of Alabama landscape would be a desert.

It has been nine years since an Alabama basketball player was drafted. It has been 16 years since one was drafted in the first round.

In 2001, Gerald Wallace was drafted in the first round. In 2008, Richard Hendrix was drafted in the second round.

Avery Johnson said this week he expects the drought to end in 2018. Quoted by 247 sports, Avery said,

"“Hopefully, this is the last year that an Alabama player doesn’t get his name called in the first round. I’d like to see more of our players get involved in the Draft and hopefully that will happen in 2018.”"

If the drought does end in 2018, it most likely will be through Braxton Key or Collin Sexton.

The other disturbing part of this century’s Alabama basketball players’ NBA history is the lack of career success. Let’s take a look at all the Alabama basketball players drafted going back to 2000 and their careers.

Gerald Wallace – 2001 First Round, Pick No. 24

Drafted by the Sacramento Kings after one Alabama basketball season, Wallace spent 14 seasons in the NBA. He also played for Charlotte, Portland, New Jersey, Brooklyn and Boston. In 832 NBA games, Wallace made 611 starts.

Rod Grizzard – 2002 Second Round

Drafted by the Washington Wizards, Grizzard played in three NBA summer league games for Orlando.

Mo Williams – 2003 Second Round, Pick No. 47

After two Alabama basketball seasons, Mo Williams was drafted by the Utah Jazz. In a 15 season NBA career, Williams played for Utah, Milwaukee, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland, Minnesota and Charlotte. he played in 818 NBA games with 525 starts.

Jermareo Davidson – 2007 Second Round, Pick No. 36

Davidson was drafted by Golden State, who traded him to Charlotte. He played one season in Charlotte and one season in Golden State. He appeared in 52 NBA games with two starts. he also played six seasons of professional basketball in Europe.

Richard Hendrix – 2008 Second Round, Pick No. 49

Hendrix turned professional after junior season at Alabama. He was drafted by Golden State and also played for Denver, Atlanta, Orlando and Indiana during a three-season NBA career. He played in 20 NBA games with 10 starts. Hendrix has played professionally in Europe for the last six seasons.

On a much brighter note, Avery Johnson had this to say about the next season, again reported by 247 Sports.

"“Offensively, our team is going to have a lot more freedom. Sometimes, we’ve been too structured and too stale, but we’ll have a lot more freedom and a lot more reads so we won’t be so easily scout-able.”"

That statement is as sweet to Alabama basketball fans as the sound of string music.

Next: All of next season's new players

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