Spartans' Branden Dawson drafted at No. 56 by Pelicans, traded to Clippers

Share

For the 16th time since Tom Izzo took the reins of the Michigan State basketball program, a Spartan heard his name called on NBA Draft night.

Branden Dawson was the No. 56 pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft, a second-round selection of the New Orleans Pelicans, but the Pelicans quickly traded Dawson to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Dawson earned tons of praise after leading the Big Ten in rebounding a season ago and landing on the All-Big Ten Second Team. He averaged 11.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

[MORE BIG TEN: Buckeyes' D'Angelo Russell goes to Lakers with No. 2 pick in NBA Draft]

Dawson was a big factor on Michigan State's run to yet another Final Four, scoring a combined 29 points in the Spartans' first two games of the NCAA tournament. He grabbed double-digit rebounds in the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight wins before a 12-point scoring effort in the Final Four loss to Duke.

He routinely flashed strong defensive skills, such as stripping the ball in the post and blocking shots on the perimeter, and he did a solid job scoring inside. But there were plenty of questions about his future heading into the draft given his size (6-foot-7) and desire to switch positions from power forward to small forward, where his size would be more appropriate.

Dawson joins a lengthy list of Spartans picked in the draft. Most recently, Gary Harris and Adreian Payne were first-round selections a year ago. Prior to those two, Draymond Green was a second-round selection of the Golden State Warriors in 2012. Green and the Warriors are just a week removed from winning an NBA championship. Now Dawson will be a division rival with Green.

Contact Us