Crowder and Johnson-Odom Taken in 2012 NBA Draft
6/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 28, 2012
Jae Crowder Bio | Darius Johnson-Odom Bio | Marquette Draft History (PDF)
NEWARK, N.J. - Former Marquette University standouts Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom were chosen Thursday evening in the 2012 National Basketball Association Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks, respectively. Crowder was taken 34th overall by the Cleveland before his rights were traded to the Dallas Mavericks, while Johnson-Odom was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after being picked 55th by Dallas.
The Golden Eagles have now been represented in the NBA Draft in each of the past three seasons, marking the first time that has occurred since 1984. Forwards Lazar Hayward (Washington) and Jimmy Butler (Chicago) were selected 30th overall in the 2010 and 2011 drafts, respectively.
It is also the first time that two Marquette players have been picked in a single draft since Doc Rivers and Terrell Schlundt were selected in 1983.
They are the 55th and 56th players in program history ever chosen in the NBA Draft.
Crowder, the 2012 BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year, was one of 10 players named to the John R. Wooden Award All-American Team and was also tabbed Second Team All-America by the Associated Press.
The Villa Rica, Ga., native averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game this season, helping Marquette to a 27-8 overall record and a program-best 14-4 mark in the BIG EAST. He ranked among the national leaders in steals per contest and was among the league leaders in seven different categories. He was also a member of the All-BIG EAST First Team.
Johnson-Odom, an All-BIG EAST First Team selection and member of the NABC District 5 First Team, averaged 18.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in 2011-12 and finished among the league leaders in scoring (2nd, 18.3 ppg.), free throw percentage (14th, .764), 3-point field goal percentage (7th, .385) and 3-pointers per game (4th, 2.26).
In just three seasons, the Raleigh, N.C., native finished 11th on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,649 points, fourth in 3-pointers made (221), eighth in 3-pointers attempted (549) and ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (.403).
Crowder attended Howard Junior College (Big Springs, Texas), while Johnson-Odom spent a year at Hutchinson Junior College (Hutchinson, Kan.) before beginning their respective careers at Marquette.
Notes: Crowder and Johnson-Odom join former Marquette players Jimmy Butler (Chicago), Lazar Hayward (Oklahoma City), Wesley Matthews (Portland), Steve Novak (New York) and Dwyane Wade (Miami), who were on NBA rosters in 2011-12 ââ'¬Â¦ The Golden Eagles made three NCAA Championship appearances during Johnson-Odom's tenure and two in both of Crowder's campaigns in Milwaukee ââ'¬Â¦ The duo also helped MU to back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16 (2010-11 and 2011-12) for the first time since 1977.
Marquette Draft Facts
- Crowder and Johnson-Odom are the 55th and 56th players in program history to be selected in the NBA Draft.
- Crowder is the first MU player selected by Cleveland since 1982 when the Cavaliers took Michael Wilson in the third round with the 47th pick. Crowder and Wilson are the only two MU players ever taken by the Cavs.
- Johnson-Odom is the first MU player selected by Dallas since 1983 when the Mavericks took Terrell Schlundt with the 148th pick in the seventh round. Johnson-Odom and Schlundt are the only two Marquette players ever taken by the Mavericks.
- It is the first time since 1984 that Marquette players have been selected in three consecutive drafts (The 1984 draft marked the end of an 18-year stretch which saw a Marquette player drafted each year).
- It is the first time that two Marquette players have been picked in a single draft since Doc Rivers and Terrell Schlundt were selected in 1983.
