Olivier-Maxence Prosper Selected 24th In NBA Draft By Sacramento Kings
6/22/2023 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Junior forward developed into NBA prospect in two years at MU
NEW YORK - Junior forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper of the Marquette University men's basketball program was the 24th overall selection in the 2023 National Basketball Association Draft by the Sacramento Kings Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. His draft rights were later traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Montreal Quebec, native is the program's 58th draft pick all-time, but just the ninth Marquette player to be selected in the first round. MU has had 57 players previously selected in the NBA draft, beginning with Gene Berce (New York) in 1948. The most recent pick was Henry Ellenson (18th overall) by the Detroit Pistons in 2016.
After averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game as a freshman at Clemson, Prosper developed into a first-round selection in two seasons under head coach Shaka Smart and his staff. Prosper started 25-of-32 contests in 2021-22, contributing 6.6 points and 3.3 boards per outing. His breakthrough campaign came last season when he started all 36 outings and averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor.
"OMax did an unbelievable job of taking ownership in his role, getting better within that and gaining confidence," Smart said. "He has tremendous energy and spirit about him for winning and that's exactly what NBA teams are looking for in a player."
Prosper helped the team to a school-record 29 wins and the BIG EAST Conference regular season and tournament titles.
Prosper joins former Marquette players Jimmy Butler (Miami), Jamal Cain (Miami), Jae Crowder (Milwaukee), Justin Lewis (Chicago), Wesley Matthews (Milwaukee) and Juan Toscano-Anderson (Utah) currently active in the NBA ranks.Â
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The Montreal Quebec, native is the program's 58th draft pick all-time, but just the ninth Marquette player to be selected in the first round. MU has had 57 players previously selected in the NBA draft, beginning with Gene Berce (New York) in 1948. The most recent pick was Henry Ellenson (18th overall) by the Detroit Pistons in 2016.
After averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game as a freshman at Clemson, Prosper developed into a first-round selection in two seasons under head coach Shaka Smart and his staff. Prosper started 25-of-32 contests in 2021-22, contributing 6.6 points and 3.3 boards per outing. His breakthrough campaign came last season when he started all 36 outings and averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor.
"OMax did an unbelievable job of taking ownership in his role, getting better within that and gaining confidence," Smart said. "He has tremendous energy and spirit about him for winning and that's exactly what NBA teams are looking for in a player."
Prosper helped the team to a school-record 29 wins and the BIG EAST Conference regular season and tournament titles.
Prosper joins former Marquette players Jimmy Butler (Miami), Jamal Cain (Miami), Jae Crowder (Milwaukee), Justin Lewis (Chicago), Wesley Matthews (Milwaukee) and Juan Toscano-Anderson (Utah) currently active in the NBA ranks.Â
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Players Mentioned
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