The Florida Gators made history yet again, this time in the NBA Draft thanks to Al Horford, Corey Brewer, and Joakim Noah as they were selected in the top ten of the draft, making the University of Florida the only school to now have the honor of having three players selected in the top ten alone.
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The Gator Boyz have been on a tear lately, winning two national championships and now dominating the top ten of the 2007 NBA Draft, setting yet more records in the process.
Forward Al Horford went first in the draft to the Atlanta Hawks, while Corey Brewer went with the Minnesota Timberwolves at #7 and Joakim Noah followed at #9 by going to the Chicago Bulls.
Horford becomes the second highest Gator ever drafted in Florida history, behind Neal Walk in 1969.
Coach Billy Donovan was unable to make it to the NBA Draft due to travel snafus, but he was able to contact the three and offer his congratulations.
“These players were fortunate enough to be a part of two National Championships, and now have the opportunity to continue their careers at the next level. I’m so happy for, and proud of, this group, as they continue to make history. Their selections tonight are a true testament of how hard they’ve worked,” said Donovan.
“To have three players selected in the first nine picks of the NBA draft is truly incredible. It’s a great day for basketball at the University of Florida and for basketball in the state of Florida.”
Notes:
* Al Horford’s selection at the No. 3 spot was the highest by a Florida men’s basketball player since Neal Walk went No. 2 to the Phoenix Suns in 1969.
* Horford is only the third top five pick in UF history – Walk and Mike Miller (No. 5, 2000)
* Corey Brewer was the first Gator selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, although not the first Gator to be selected by a team from the state, as Joe Hobbs, the first Florida player ever selected, was taken by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1958.
* Joakim Noah is the second UF player drafted by the Chicago Bulls, joining Matt Bonner who was a second round pick of the team in 2003 but was traded later on draft night.
* The University of Florida had only three top 10 selections in the history of its basketball program until Thursday night.
Stay tuned to Gator Country later this evening for our usual excellent in-depth coverage from photographer Tim Casey and reporter Franz Beard. In the meantime, take advantage of your GatorCountry.com subscription by accessing ESPN Insider to get the latest NBA Draft coverage!