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Louisville's Onuaku Taken by Rockets in NBA Draft

Louisville's Onuaku Taken by Rockets in NBA Draft
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Jun. 24, 2016 | HOUSTON, TX
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jun. 24, 2016 | 05:11 AM | HOUSTON, TX
Chinanu Onuaku, a sophomore center for the University of Louisville last season, has been selected by the Houston Rockets with the 37th pick overall in the 2016 NBA Draft second round.

Onuaku averaged 9.9 points, ranked eighth in the ACC in rebounding with 8.5 boards per game last season as the Cardinals posted a 23-8 record and ranked 16th in the final Associated Press poll.  The All-ACC Defensive Team selection was third in the ACC in blocked shots (2.0 per game, 41st in the nation) while shooting 61.9 percent from the field and led UofL with 36 dunks.

Onuaku had 11 double-doubles on the season and 13 for his career, including six consecutive in his first six ACC games during his sophomore year. His 10 double-doubles in ACC games last season ranked second in the league. He was the first Cardinal with six straight double-doubles in 22 years. He made 68 percent of his free throws over the last 13 games (19-of-28) and his season free throw percentage improved 12 points from his freshman year.

The 6-10 Onuaku from Lanham, Md., was honored on the 2016 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 2 Men's Basketball first team, which recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.  A communication major, he was also among a league-best seven UofL men's basketball players named to the All-ACC Academic Men's Basketball team.

A total of 69 former Louisville players have been selected in the NBA Draft, including six in the last four years.  In addition to Onuaku, those recent picks include Terry Rozier (2015, 1st round, 16th overall, Boston Celtics), Montrezl Harrell (2015, 2nd, 32nd, Houston Rockets), Russ Smith (2nd, 47th, Philadelphia 76ers), Gorgui Dieng (2013, 1st, 21st, Utah Jazz) and Peyton Siva (2013, 2nd, 56th, Detroit Pistons).

Louisville has produced 23 first-round NBA Draft choices, including 11 in the top ten and five among the top three picks (Pervis Ellison first in 1989; Wes Unseld second in 1968; Darrell Griffith second in 1980; Charlie Tyra second in 1957; Rodney McCray third in 1983).

 

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