Coach says NBA draft will be help
Results could boost UM standing with recruits
CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga has accomplished a lot in his career.
After 33 years on the sideline, though, he achieved a first when former Hurricanes Lonnie Walker IV and Bruce Brown were selected in Thursday’s NBA draft.
“This is the first time in my coaching career that I’ve had two players drafted in the same night,” Larranaga said. “There are no two players better deserving than Lonnie Walker and Bruce Brown. Great young men, great role models and I loved coaching them. I loved being around them and I think they have a very bright future ahead of them.”
It is also the first time UM had two players drafted since the format changed to two rounds in 1989. Walker, who played just one season at UM, was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 18 pick in the first round. Brown, who left after his sophomore year, was picked by the Detroit Pistons at No. 42 in the second round.
Walker is just the fifth Hurricanes player taken in the first round, joining Shane Larkin, Ricky Barry, John Salmons and Tim James. Some analysts projected Walker as a lottery pick, so he arrives in San Antonio already motivated after slipping four spots.
A 6-foot-5 shooting guard, Walker averaged a team-high 11.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists last year. He helped lead the Hurricanes to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Loyola-Chicago in the first round.
“I’m ready to get after it right now,” Walker said. “If they wanted me to work out