For
just the fourth time in school history, the Florida men’s
basketball team had a pair of players selected in the NBA
Draft.
On
Thursday, seniors Chandler Parsons and Vernon Macklin were both
chosen in the second round.
Parsons went to the Houston Rockets with the 38th overall pick,
while his former teammate was chosen by the Detroit Pistons 14
picks later with the 52nd overall selection.
In
Parson’s final season with the Gators, the 6-foot-10 forward broke
the school record for minutes played (3,964) and also took home SEC
Player of the Year honors after he averaged 11.3 points per game
and led the team in assists and rebounds.
Macklin — a transfer from Georgetown — played two seasons for
Florida at center and ended his UF career ranked third all-time in
field goal percentage.
His
selection marked the 15th time a Florida player has been taken in
the NBA Draft during coach Billy Donovan’s 15 seasons with the
team.
