AP Story: Jones 1st USF Player Drafted in 20 Years

[Brad]

Jones becomes first USF player drafted in 20 years

The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla.

Solomon Jones ended a two-decade wait for South Florida on Wednesday night.

The 6-foot-10, 230-pound Jones became the first USF player in 20 years to be selected in the NBA draft, going 33rd overall to the Atlanta Hawks.

Jones, who's projected as a power forward at the NBA level, led the Bulls in rebounds (285), blocks (90) and finished second in scoring (13.2 points per game) this past season. He ranked second in the Big East in rebounds (9.8 per game) and third in blocked shots (3.1 per game).

Curtis Kitchen was the last USF player selected in the draft; he went to the Seattle SuperSonics in the sixth round back in 1986, when the draft lasted many rounds longer than the current two-round, 60-pick model.

Jones was one of three players from Florida universities to be selected in the draft.

Florida State's Alexander Johnson was selected 45th overall by the Indiana Pacers, traded moments later to the Portland Trail Blazers - then traded again to the Memphis Grizzlies. The 6-foot-10 Johnson averaged 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this past season, and skipped his senior year with the Seminoles.

Guillermo Diaz - who also skipped his senior season at Miami with hopes of getting into the draft's first round - went 52nd overall to the Los Angeles Clippers. Diaz averaged a team-best 17.2 points per game for the Hurricanes this past season.

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[RHBullsFan]

This has been a long time coming. Hopefully SoJo starts a trend.

[Ricky the Bull]

Nice to say that we had the highest draft pick of any university in the state, too.

[bulls96go]

so jones hope you make us proud

[ChiTownBull]

^^ he already has

[applepj]

Way to go Jones!!!!!!