NEW YORK – Former Auburn standout Chuma Okeke made history Thursday night when he was chosen with the 16th overall selection by the Orland Magic in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Okeke became the first Tiger chosen in the NBA Draft since Jamison Brewer in 2001. He is the seventh first-round selection in program history, joining Mike Mitchell (1978), Charles Barkley (1984), Chuck Person (1986), Chris Morris (1988), Wesley Person (1994) and Mamadou N’Diaye (2000).
At No. 16 overall, Okeke became the fifth-highest selection in the Auburn record books behind only Chris Morris (No. 4, 1988), Chuck Person (No. 4, 1986), Charles Barkley (No. 5, 1984) and Mike Mitchell (No. 15, 1978).
The Atlanta, Ga. native is the second first-round pick to play under head coach Bruce Pearl. Tobias Harris (Tennessee) was chosen 19th overall during the 2011 NBA Draft.
Okeke started 38 games and averaged 12.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks in 29.1 minutes per game during his sophomore season.
He was named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team after averaging 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per contest during Auburn’s historic run to the Final Four.
Okeke scored in double figures 27 times, including 15 of his last 17 games played, and touted a team-best seven double-doubles.
He also got it done on the defensive end as he totaled 69 steals, tied for third on Auburn’s single-season steals list.
Okeke is the first Tiger to be drafted by the Magic and is set to become the second player in program history to play for the team, joining Pat Burke, who played in Orlando from 2002-03.
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