Brockman Selected By Portland, Traded To Sacramento
June 25, 2009
• Lorenzo Romar and Jon Brockman Quotes
• Brockman Supplemental Page
NEW YORK -- University of Washington senior forward Jon Brockman was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of Thursday's NBA Draft with the 38th overall pick, but quickly switched uniforms to join a familiar face.
Brockman's draft rights and veteran Sergio Rodriguez were later traded to the Sacramento Kings for Arizona State's Jeff Pendergraph, who was the first pick of the second round (31st overall). Brockman will join former Husky teammate and good friend Spencer Hawes in Sacramento.
"Spencer called me about 10 seconds before it came up on the TV," said Brockman. "He said 'you are my rookie.' I was surprised and said 'what are you talking about?' Then it came up on the screen, everyone started screaming and yelling. That's kind of how I found out."
Brockman is the fifth player during head coach Lorenzo Romar's seven years at Washington to be selected in the NBA Draft. He joins Hawes (1st round, 10th overall, 2007 Sacramento), Brandon Roy (1st round, 6th overall, 2006 Minnesota), Bobby Jones (2nd round, 37th overall, 2006 Philadelphia) and Nate Robinson (1st round, 21st overall, 2005 Phoenix) as Huskies to be selected in the last five NBA drafts. Martell Webster (1st round, 6th overall, 2005 Portland) had committed to play at Washington, but instead declared for the draft out of high school.
During the 2008-09 season, Brockman led the Husky men's basketball team to a 26-9 record and Washington's first outright Pac-10 title in 56 years. Brockman averaged 14.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as a senior. He led the Pac-10 in rebounding and was second with 18 double-doubles. He earned his second-consecutive All-Pac-10 selection and was honorable mention All-American.
Brockman led the Huskies in rebounding four-straight seasons and ranked seventh nationally in that category in 2008-09. He earned the reputation as a blue collar worker and feels that trait will bode well for him in the NBA.
"Hard work can get people a long ways," said Brockman. "As you've seen in the playoffs, there are a lot of players who were putting in some big minutes and being very successful -- players who resemble the way I play. I am going to have to do a lot of learning and I have a long ways to go. I have Spencer, who has been in the league for a few years now, who can help me along the way and is more than willing to be that advisor."
The power forward completed his collegiate career with 1,805 points (13.8 ppg) and 1,283 rebounds (9.8 rpg) and graduates as the UW's all-time career leader in rebounds and as the Huskies' second-leading scorer. Brockman recorded a remarkable 60 double-doubles during his career and is the first Husky and only the fourth player in Pac-10 history to surpass 1,800 career points and 1,200 rebounds.
"I am so excited and proud of Jon," said Romar, who spent the draft with Brockman and his family in Snohomish, Wash. "He did everything in his power to be a team guy for four years. He is selfless and he is a servant. And, now, he is rewarded to go out and attack a lifelong dream to play in the NBA. It is a lot of fun that he is going to be able to join Spencer Hawes, as well."
Brockman was named the 2009 Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award recipient, given annually to the nation's top player demonstrating outstanding character, leadership and talent. Brockman is an architectural studies/construction management major.
Brockman arrived at Washington in 2005 as one of the most decorated high school players to ever join the Huskies. Brockman was a McDonald's All-American and was listed as the No. 1 prospect in the Best of the West poll compiled by the Long Beach Press Telegram. He averaged 30.2 ppg and 14.0 rpg as a senior and once scored 51 points against Stanwood in 2005.
Brockman is the first Snohomish County native to be selected in the NBA Draft since ex-Husky Jack Nichols was picked in the first round of the 1948 draft by the Boston Celtics.
