Former Arizona Wildcats Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson both heard their names called during the 2014 NBA Draft.
Gordon was selected fourth overall by the Orlando Magic and Johnson was selected 42nd overall by the Houston Rockets.
Gordon and Johnson are the fourth and fifth players drafted in Sean Miller’s five years as the head coach at Arizona. In addition, the duo became the 66th and 67th Wildcats drafted in program history.
Gordon, a projected top-5 pick, averaged 12.4 PPG and 8.0 RPG in his lone season with Arizona.
After being drafted, the 6’9” forward said he’s excited to play with the youthful Orlando Magic.
“I know [Orlando] is a very young and talented team but [youth] doesn’t mean there’s a lack of maturity.” Gordon said in an interview with NBA TV.
Gordon joins 2013 No. 2 overall selection Victor Oladipo on an Orlando team looking to rebuild after the departure of Dwight Howard.
Look for Gordon to play significant minutes with the Magic this upcoming season.
On the other hand, Johnson was projected as a second-round pick and wound up in a favorable situation on a playoff team.
“Nick is far from being a finished product,” Miller said in a press release. “He has tremendous upside and an incredible work ethic.”
The Houston Rockets selected Johnson in the top-half of the second round with the second of their three draft picks.
The 6’3” guard played three years at Arizona and averaged a team-high 16.3 points in his final year with the Wildcats.
The Rockets are coming off a tough playoff defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers and could be back in the playoff hunt next season.
Johnson will get to learn behind one of the better NBA shooting guards in former ASU Sun Devil James Harden.
Having that kind of mentor could significantly accelerate Johnson’s learning curve as he transitions from the college ranks to the NBA.
—Follow Roberto Payne @HouseofPayne555