Cardinals in the Pros
The University of Louisville men's basketball team has produced 77 NBA Draft picks all-time, making it one of just 10 programs in the country with at least 70 draft picks.
Eighteen Cardinals have played in the NBA over the last 10 years. Louisville's most recent draft pick was David Johnson, who was selected 47th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2021 NBA Draft. The program's last first-round selection was Donovan Mitchell, chosen 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2017 and then traded to the Utah Jazz.
Mitchell, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has become one of the stars of the league and a five-time NBA All-Star. Additionally, former Cardinal Montrezl Harrell was the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Cardinals have been represented by a NBA champion in two of the last three seasons. Damion Lee claimed the 2022 title with the Golden State Warriors, while Jordan Nwora took the 2021 crown with the Milwaukee Bucks. Only UofL, Michigan State, UCLA and Arkansas had an alum win the NBA title in both seasons.
Including overseas and the G League, Louisville was expected to be presented by at least 25 players in professional basketball in 2023-24.
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Eighteen Cardinals have played in the NBA over the last 10 years. Louisville's most recent draft pick was David Johnson, who was selected 47th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2021 NBA Draft. The program's last first-round selection was Donovan Mitchell, chosen 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2017 and then traded to the Utah Jazz.
Mitchell, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has become one of the stars of the league and a five-time NBA All-Star. Additionally, former Cardinal Montrezl Harrell was the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Cardinals have been represented by a NBA champion in two of the last three seasons. Damion Lee claimed the 2022 title with the Golden State Warriors, while Jordan Nwora took the 2021 crown with the Milwaukee Bucks. Only UofL, Michigan State, UCLA and Arkansas had an alum win the NBA title in both seasons.
Including overseas and the G League, Louisville was expected to be presented by at least 25 players in professional basketball in 2023-24.
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Louisville NBA Draft Picks (77)
| Name | Draft Year | Round | Overall Pick | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Johnson | 2021 | 2 | 47 | Toronto Rapters |
| Jordan Nwora | 2020 | 2 | 45 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Ray Spalding | 2018 | 2 | 56 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Donovan Mitchell | 2017 | 1 | 13 | Denver Nuggets |
| Chinanu Onuaku | 2016 | 2 | 37 | Houston Rockets |
| Terry Rozier | 2015 | 1 | 16 | Boston Celtics |
| Montrezi Harrell | 2015 | 2 | 32 | Houston Rockets |
| Russ Smith | 2014 | 2 | 47 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Gorgui Dieng | 2013 | 1 | 21 | Utah Jazz |
| Peyton Siva | 2013 | 2 | 56 | Detroit Pistons |
| Derrick Caracter* | 2010 | 2 | 58 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Terrence Williams | 2009 | 1 | 11 | New Jersey Nets |
| Earl Clark | 2009 | 1 | 14 | Phoenix Suns |
| Francisco Garcia | 2005 | 1 | 23 | Sacramento Kings |
| Reece Gaines | 2003 | 1 | 15 | Orlando Magic |
| DeJuan Wheat | 1997 | 2 | 52 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Samaki Walker | 1996 | 1 | 9 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Clifford Rozier | 1994 | 1 | 16 | Golden State Warriors |
| Greg Minor | 1994 | 1 | 25 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Dwayne Morton | 1994 | 2 | 45 | Golden State Warriors |
| LaBradford Smith | 1991 | 1 | 19 | Washington Bullets |
| Felton Spencer | 1990 | 1 | 6 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Pervis Ellison | 1989 | 1 | 1 | Sacramento Kings |
| Kenny Payne | 1989 | 1 | 19 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Barry Sumpter* | 1988 | 3 | 56 | San Antonio Spurs |
| Herbert Crook | 1988 | 3 | 61 | Indiana Pacers |
| Billy Thompson | 1986 | 1 | 19 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Milt Wagner | 1986 | 2 | 35 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Jeff Hall | 1986 | 6 | 118 | Indiana Pacers |
| Lancaster Gordon | 1984 | 1 | 8 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Charles Jones | 1984 | 2 | 36 | Phoenix Suns |
| Rodney McCray | 1983 | 1 | 3 | Houston Rockets |
| Scooter McCray | 1983 | 2 | 36 | Seattle Supersonics |
| Derek Smith | 1982 | 2 | 35 | Golden State Warriors |
| Jerry Eaves | 1982 | 3 | 55 | Utah Jazz |
| Poncho Wright | 1982 | 6 | 120 | Kansas City Kings |
| Roger Burkman | 1981 | 6 | 130 | Chicago Bulls |
| Darrell Griffith | 1980 | 1 | 2 | Utah Jazz |
| Bobby Turner | 1980 | 7 | 150 | New York Knicks |
| Larry Williams | 1979 | 5 | 102 | Denver Nuggets |
| Rick Wilson | 1978 | 2 | 25 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Rick Gallon | 1978 | 3 | 51 | Buffalo Braves |
| Wesley Cox | 1977 | 1 | 18 | Golden State Warriors |
| Philip Bond | 1977 | 3 | 62 | Houston Rockets |
| Junior Bridgeman | 1975 | 1 | 8 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Allen Murphy | 1975 | 2 | 35 | Phoenix Suns |
| Bill Butler | 1974 | 8 | 133 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Jim Price | 1972 | 2 | 16 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Ron Thomas | 1972 | 6 | 90 | Seattle Supersonics |
| Henry Bacon | 1972 | 6 | 93 | Golden State Warriors |
| Al Vilcheck | 1972 | 10 | 153 | Phoenix Suns |
| Butch Beard | 1969 | 1 | 10 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Mike Grosso | 1969 | 3 | 42 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Jerry King | 1969 | 5 | 60 | Seattle Supersonics |
| Wes Unseld | 1968 | 1 | 2 | Baltimore Bullets |
| Fred Holden | 1968 | 16 | 191 | Chicago Bulls |
| Sam Smith* | 1967 | 3 | 28 | Cincinnati Royals |
| Bud Olsen | 1962 | 2 | 13 | Cincinnati Royals |
| Fred Sawyer | 1961 | 2 | 13 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| John Turner | 1961 | 2 | 18 | Chicago Packers |
| Howard Stacey | 1961 | 13 | 104 | St. Louis Hawks |
| Don Goldstein | 1959 | 2 | 8 | Detroit Pistons |
| Jerry DuPont | 1958 | 13 | 83 | Cincinnati Royals |
| Charlie Tyra | 1957 | 1 | 2 | Detroit Pistons |
| Jim Morgan | 1957 | 2 | 17 | Syracuse Nationals |
| Bill Darragh | 1957 | 8 | 59 | St. Louis Hawks |
| Phil Rollins | 1956 | 2 | 15 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Gerry Moreman | 1956 | 10 | 70 | Rochester Royals |
| John Prudhoe | 1955 | 12 | 87 | Rochester Royals |
| Chuck Noble | 1954 | 4 | 30 | Philadelphia Warriors |
| Bob Lochmueller | 1952 | 1 | 7 | Syracuse Nationals |
| Bob Brown | 1952 | 11 | 81 | Philadelphia Warriors |
| Kenny Reeves | 1950 | 4 | 37 | Boston Celtics |
| Jack Coleman | 1949 | 2 | 19 | Rochester Royals |
| George Hauptfuhrer* | 1948 | 1 | 3 | Boston Celtics |
| Dee Compton | 1948 | 2 | 77 | Philadelphia Warriors |
| Jack Knopf | 1947 | 2 | 17 | St. Louis Bombers |
*did not complete collegiate career at Louisville
