The Big 12 had four players selected in the 2020 NBA Draft, including three in the first round to mark the 13th time since inception in 1996-97 that the Conference has produced three or more first round picks.
The Sacramento Kings chose Iowa State guard Tyrese Haliburton as the 12th overall selection. Haliburton is the 41st Cyclone to be drafted and is the third-highest pick in school history. His sophomore season was cut short after 22 games due to a wrist injury.
Kansas center Udoka Azubuike heard his name called as the 27th selection to the Utah Jazz. The 2019-20 Big 12 Player of the Year is the Jayhawks’ 25th first round pick and 40th overall since the NBA adopted a two round draft in 1989.
Guard Desmond Bane is TCU’s first NBA draft selection in 21 years as he was chosen as the 30th and final pick in the first round by the Boston Celtics in a projected trade to the Memphis Grizzlies. Bane is the 18th player drafted all-time from TCU and the first since 1999.
The Kings took a second Big 12 player when they selected Texas Tech guard Jahmi’us Ramsey in the second round at No. 43. The Red Raiders have produced a draft selection in three consecutive years.
This year's draft is the 23rd time in 24 seasons the Big 12 has had at least one first-round choice. It marks the 15th consecutive year that at least one Big 12 student-athlete has been taken in the NBA Draft lottery as one of the top 14 picks.
Overall, 77 players have been chosen in the past 13 drafts. A total of 124 players from the Big 12 have been selected since the first league season.
KU has registered a total of 34 players chosen since the Big 12 began play, more than any other league school. The Texas Longhorns are next among current members with 20 draftees, followed by Iowa State with 14, Oklahoma at 10, Oklahoma State at nine and Baylor with eight. Texas Tech (7), Kansas State (3), West Virginia (1) and TCU (1) round out the Big 12 team draft totals.
Big 12 Selections in the 2020 NBA Draft
Rd/Pick
--- Player, Position --- School --- Team
1/12 —Tyrese Haliburton, G—Iowa State — Sacramento Kings
1/27— Udoka Azubuike, C – Kansas – Utah Jazz
1/30 – Desmond Bane, G – TCU – Boston Celtics (projected trade to Memphis Grizzlies)
2/43 – Jahmi’us Ramsey, G – Texas Tech – Sacramento Kings