Top 3 Texas A&M Basketball Players In NBA History
By Braeden
Texas A&M Basketball hasn’t had any elite players go into the NBA in the past or present. There are only three players in the league who are from Texas A&M which include DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks), Donald Sloan (Indiana Pacers). The University’s main sport for men is Football which has been very successful in the past and has revived itself in past years contending as one of the nations best teams. Basketball is still another popular sport a the university and have had some all-star caliber players head into the NBA, here is the top 3 in my own opinion who’re the greatest to play the NBA and represent Texas A&M.
3. Sonny Parker
Sonny Parker attended his two first seasons in college at the Mineral Area College from 1972-1974 and transferred to Texas A&M where to played for another two seasons from 1974-1976. At 6ft6 and playing small forward, Sonny went 17th overall in the 1976 overall to the Golden State Warriors where he played his whole career at. Sonny played for six seasons with a stat line of 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals. Recently this year in the 2014 NBA draft, Sonny’s son Jabari Parker went as the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft with very promising talent to help rebuild the Milwaukee Bucks franchise.
2. DeAndre Jordan
DeAndre Jordan attended Texas A&M for one season in 2007. He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 35th pick in the 2008 NBA draft. DeAndre is still plays for the Los Angeles Clippers and is making a name for him self as one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league. With 6 under his belt he is averaging 7.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game over his career so far. DeAndre is fortunate enough to be playing alongside two of the leagues most elite players in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin which has helped him develop into a legitimate center in the NBA.
1. John Beasley
John Beasley played in the ABA which is now called the NBA. John was a 6ft9 forward and was selected 45th overall in the 1966 NBA draft by the Baltimore Bullets. From his rookie season in 1967 to 1970 he was selected as an all-star and was the first male basketball player from Texas A&M to be an all-star in the ABA or NBA. He had a career average of 13.7 points, 8.4 points and 1.2 assists per game after retiring in 1974. In my own opinion John Beasley is the Aggie to play in the NBA or ABA because mainly of his all-star honors and to be the only all-star from Texas A&M.