McDonald: Where Are Spurs' Draft Picks Now?

[duncan228]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....3c9676a2.html

NBA: Where are Spurs' draft picks now?
Jeff McDonald

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Only one player the Spurs drafted since 2001 remains with the team: Ian Mahinmi, 2005’s first-round selection. Express-News Spurs writer Jeff McDonald takes a look at what became of the rest of the Spurs’ first-rounders in that span, as well as a few selected second-rounders.

John Salmons

2002, first round (26th overall)

Traded to Philadelphia as part of a draft-day deal that brought backup point guard Speedy Claxton to San Antonio. Salmons eventually washed up in Sacramento, where he averaged 12.5 points this season.

Leandro Barbosa

2003, first round (28th overall)

Dealt to Phoenix as part of a prearranged deal on draft day. Wound up thriving as a reserve point guard for the Suns, culminating with his NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2006-07.

Beno Udrih

2004, first round (28th overall)

Played three seasons with the Spurs, much of it spent as Tony Parker’s primary backup, before eventually falling out of favor. He was traded just before the 2007-08 season and ended up in Sacramento, where he had a mild career revival. Averaged 12.8 points and 4.3 assists in his first season with Kings.

2006: No first-round pick

Tiago Splitter

2007, first round (28th overall)

Spurs drafted Splitter knowing they’d have to wait at least a season to sign him away from his Spanish League team. Wait got longer this summer when Splitter agreed to a four-year deal with Tau Ceramica. Regarded as one of the top players in Europe, but future with Spurs remains cloudy for now.

Luis Scola

2002, second round (55th overall)

Spurs spent three seasons trying to pry Scola away from his Spanish League team before finally dealing his rights to Houston last summer. Scola made NBA debut for Rockets in 2007-08, averaging 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds as 27-year-old rookie.

Viktor Sanikidze

2004, second round (42nd overall)

Technically Atlanta’s selection, Sanikidze’s rights went to the Spurs in another prearranged draft-day deal. Has remained overseas ever since. Did not play during the 2007-08 season while injured.

Marcus Williams

2007, second round (33rd overall)

Did not make the Spurs out of training camp, but was eventually called up from the Development League in December. Played in one game, logging two minutes, before being waived again. Finished the season with the L.A. Clippers, appearing in 10 games. Remains a free agent this offseason.

[Marcus Bryant]

Romain Sato

2004, second round (52nd overall)

Renting a room from whottttttt.

[T Park]

He forgot about Kauralov.

[Spurtacus]

Beno = two championships.

I had to....

[DespЏrado]

Beno = two championships.

I had to....

And we all point at you now and laugh
That's not a serious argument anymore is it?

[mrspurs]

there is a list of players who are above average nba ballers...and we dont haveum....quite a few bone head moves if you ask me. oh well no sense in looking backwards....lets just hope in a few yrs we dont see other lists like this and one of them names turns out tobe a player like jordon etc, but now plays in houston or dallas..

[Ocotillo]

Looking at McDonald's list (although incomplete) I have to admit, they appear to have an eye for talent for picking as low as they usually do.

Salmons and Barbosa were not our scouting etc..., the receiving teams wanted them.

I just hope R.C. does us better than Marcus Williams this year.