Spring Break
Draft dip: DeAndre drops to 35th pick
By: Travis Yoesting
Issue date: 6/30/08 Section: Sports
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By the time draft day finally came Thursday, Jordan had fallen out of the lottery in most mock drafts. However, most still had NBA commissioner David Stern calling the long 7-footer's name in the first round.
After the first round passed without Jordan donning a cap, it was clear he had fallen more than most predicted he ever would when he first arrived at Texas A&M.
Jordan's name was eventually called by Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver as the fifth pick in the second round - 35th overall - by the Los Angeles Clippers. Jordan became the second Aggie in as many years to be drafted and the third in four years.
The fall to the second round completed a disappointing year for Jordan, who was one of the most highly touted athletes to come to A&M in years.
The year began in promising fashion when Jordan was a starter and wowed spectators with powerful dunks and an astronomical field goal percentage. But that was against a lower level of competition in nonconference play.
When Big 12 play began, Jordan's quality of play slipped and his playing time diminished. By the end of the season, Jordan was struggling to get off Head Coach Mark Turgeon's bench.
Despite reduced minutes, Jordan led the team with six rebounds a game, 44 blocked shots, and a .617 field goal percentage. The center also added 7.9 points a game.
Jordan's numbers were atypical for a freshman, but nothing that made NBA scouts want to draft him in the first round given his 57 turnovers and .437 free throw shooting percentage.
Jordan joins guard Eric Gordon of Indiana and former Iowa State guard Mike Taylor on the Clippers. The often-overlooked L.A. team finished last in the Pacific division and tied for the fifth-worst record in the NBA a year ago at 23-59.
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