Cards' Guard Gaines Selected by Orlando Magic
June 26, 2003 | Men's Basketball
June 26, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Reece Gaines, who completed his University of Louisville basketball career as the Cardinals' No. 4 all-time scorer, was selected by the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft on Thursday.
Gaines was the 15th selection overall, the Cardinals' highest draft pick in seven years and first draft pick in six years. Samaki Walker, who played two seasons at U of L (1994-96) and is currently a forward with the Los Angeles Lakers, was chosen ninth overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. DeJuan Wheat, the Cards' No. 2 career scorer with 2,183 points (1992-96), had been U of L's last NBA draft selection in 1997 as the Los Angeles Lakers' second round pick and No. 57 choice overall.
"We were praying that Reece would go to Orlando," said U of L Head Coach Rick Pitino. "I thought it was a perfect situation for him. While it's a very high selection, often it's more important where you're drafted. I spoke with (Orlando Head Coach) Doc (Rivers) earlier this week, and he asked me who he reminded me of. I told him 'Doc Rivers,' and he got a big kick out of that. Our season was one thing, but now in our second year of rebuilding, we have a really high draft choice that really helps our program. If you had given me a choice of 29 NBA teams for Reece, I would have chosen the Orlando Magic. We're really excited for Reece and his family."
An All-America selection as a senior, Gaines led the Cardinals to a 25-7 record and its first Conference USA Tournament Championship last season while leading U of L in scoring (17.9, third in C-USA), assists (5.0) and steals (1.7). He was a double-figure scorer in 31 games as a senior and in 99 games for his career.
A finalist for national player of the year awards, he is second in career three-point goals at U of L with 225 (sixth in Conference USA history) and ranks second all-time at U of L in free throws made with 456, the highest career total in Conference USA history. U of L's assist leader for each of the past four seasons, he is fifth all-time at U of L with 475, the third-highest career total in Conference USA history.
