D-Will goes No. 2 overall

June 23, 2011

Former Arizona standout Derrick Williams became the UA’s highest draft pick since 1998 on Thursday, being selected second overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had a league-worst 17-65 record a year ago.

Mike Bibby was taken by the then-Vancouver Grizzlies with the second pick of the 1998 draft.

Williams is the first Arizona player selected in the first round since Jordan Hill was drafted No. 8 overall by the New York Knicks in 2009, and the 15th Arizona product to go in the first round all-time.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward led Arizona to the 2011 Elite Eight, making key plays in the closing seconds of the Wildcats’ victories over Memphis and Texas in the first two rounds.

During his sophomore season, Williams, a native of La Mirada, Calif., averaged 19.5 points per game to go along with 8.3 rebounds. He also connected on 56.8 percent of his attempts from three-point range, and shot 74.6 percent from the free throw line.

As a freshman, Williams led Arizona in scoring (15.7 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg) and field goal percentage (.574), becoming the first freshman to lead the Wildcats in all three categories in the same season.

Check back with DailyWildcat.com for continuing coverage of the NBA Draft.

Previous UA first-rounders

Jordan Hill (Knicks, 2009)

Jerryd Bayless (Pacers, 2008)

Channing Frye (Knicks, 2005)

Andre Iguodala (76ers, 2004)

Richard Jefferson (Rockets, 2001)

Jason Terry (Hawks, 1999)

Mike Bibby (Grizzlies, 1998)

Michael Dickerson (Rockets, 1998)

Damon Stoudamire (Raptors, 1995)

Khalid Reeves (Heat, 1994)