The Big 10 didn’t exactly have a banner year in terms of the NCAA tournament, although it was better than what many had predicted. But with 30 picks in the NBA draft for the first round, the conference posted 3 players that were taken, with Eric Gordon being the number 7 pick for the Los Angeles Clippers, Kosta Koufos taken 23rd by the Utah Jazz, and D.J. White being taken 29th by the Detroit Pistons.

Gordon’s draft position wasn’t much of a surprise, although he is going to a team in LA that has struggled mightily for years, and he will be looked at to make an immediate impact. Koufos slipped as to what many experts thought he would initially be at (around 16th), but the Jazz are getting a seven-footer who still has some work to do to be a fully developed and effective NBA player, but his range for his size is unquestionably his strength that they will utilize. White could be the biggest coup of the draft, where he may not get as much playing time immediately, but his work ethic and maturity will be an asset to a very successful franchise.

Congrats, guys! Hopefully all of them will be successful and represent the conference well!