June 24, 2004
TUCSON, Ariz. - University of Arizona men's basketball player Andre Iguodala was selected in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft, held Thursday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Iguodala, a 6-foot-6, 207-pound forward from Springfield, Ill., was selected with the ninth pick of the first round by the Philadelphia. That is the highest draft position for an Arizona player since Mike Bibby went second overall in 1998. Iguodala averaged 12.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 30 games this season and shot 45.0 percent from the floor (136-of-302), including 31.5 percent from three-point range (23-of-73), and 78.8 percent (93-of-118) from the free throw line.
"This is a special moment for Andre," said head coach Lute Olson. "For him to go in the top-10 picks of the draft is a testament to his ability and work ethic. I'm sure he will make the most of his opportunity with the 76ers."
Iguodala, who collected a school record three triple-doubles in 2003-04, became the first UA player in history to lead the team in rebounds (253), assists (147) and steals (48) in the same season. He also joins California's Jason Kidd as the only players in Pac-10 history to record three or more three or more triple doubles in a single season. He finished the season as the only Pac-10 player to be ranked in the top 20 in scoring and rebounding and the top 10 in assists, steals and assist:turnover ratio (1.77).
One of the most versatile players in the country, Iguodala scored in double figures in 28 of 62 career appearances. He posted career averages of 9.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor and making 34 starts.
Iguodala is the 13th Arizona player to be selected in the first round and the program's seventh "Lottery Pick" since 1989. He is the 57th Arizona product to be selected in the NBA Draft since 1948. Iguodala is the sixth Arizona player to leave school early for the NBA Draft in the Lute Olson era (eighth all time), joining Brian Williams (1991), Mike Bibby (1998), Richard Jefferson (2001), Gilbert Arenas (2001) and Michael Wright (2001).
In his 31-year collegiate coaching career, Lute Olson has now produced 47 NBA Draft picks, including 28 at Arizona.
Arizona's First Round NBA Draft Picks
Player Selection Year Team
Larry Demic 9 1979 New York Knicks
Leon Wood 10 1984 Philadelphia 76ers
$Sean Elliott 3 1989 San Antonio Spurs
Anthony Cook 24 1989 Phoenix Suns
$Brian Williams 10 1991 Orlando Magic
Chris Mills 22 1993 Cleveland Cavaliers
Khalid Reeves 12 1994 Miami Heat
$Damon Stoudamire 7 1995 Toronto Raptors
$Mike Bibby 2 1998 Vancouver Grizzlies
Michael Dickerson 14 1998 Houston Rockets
$Jason Terry 10 1999 Atlanta Hawks
$Richard Jefferson 13 2001 Houston Rockets
$Andre Iguodala 9 2004 Philadelphia 76ers
$ Lottery pick
Arizona's Early Entrants' NBA Draft History
Round/
Player Overall Pick Year Team
Eric Money 2/33 1974 Detroit Pistons
Coniel Norman 3/37 1974 Philadelphia 76ers
Brian Williams 1/10 1991 Orlando Magic
Mike Bibby 1/2 1998 Vancouver Grizzlies
Richard Jefferson 1/13 2001 Houston Rockets
Gilbert Arenas 2/31 2001 Golden State Warriors
Michael Wright 2/39 2001 New York Knicks
Andre Iguodala 1/9 2004 Philadelphia 76ers
