Michigan State University Athletics
Dawson Selected In Second Round Of 2015 NBA Draft
6/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Branden Dawson was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 56th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft. Following the draft, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Dawson becomes the 16th Spartan to play for head coach Tom Izzo to be selected in the draft, including the 15th since the 2000 NBA Draft.
"I'm just really at a loss for words. This is a dream come true," said Dawson, shortly after being selected. "My mind is still racing.
"As the night went on, and other players were selected ahead of me, I never stopped having faith. I was surrounded by family and friends, and they kept telling me to keep the faith.
"After my Clippers workout, I just had this feeling that this was a place where I could be. This sounds crazy, but after I got the call tonight, I looked at what I was wearing and realized I was wearing Clippers colors. It's definitely a sign from God.
"I can't think the Los Angeles Clippers organization and Coach Rivers enough for giving me this opportunity. When I talked to Coach Rivers on the phone, I told him that I was going to work as hard as I ever have in my life, and that I'm going to do whatever it takes to help the team and organization."
A native of Gary, Indiana, Dawson finished his career as MSU's all-time leader in blocks (142), while also ranking among the career leaders in starts (5th, 121), steals (6th, 163) and rebounds (7th, 902). The 2015 Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree is one of just three players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks. He averaged 11.9 points and a Big Ten-best 9.1 rebounds per game as a senior, becoming the first player 6-foot-6 or shorter to lead the Big Ten in rebounding since 1991 (overall), while his 9.8 rebounding average in conference games made him the first player 6-foot-6 or shorter to lead in Big Ten play since 1988. His eight double-doubles in conference games led all Big Ten players. He was co-recipient of MSU's team MVP award as voted on by the media, and was named to the 2015 Big Ten All-Tournament Team. In 2014, he was named Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten Tournament.
"I'm really excited for Branden," said MSU head coach Tom Izzo. "He'll have the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches in the NBA, and being the Clippers' only draft pick is certainly a plus. Branden had a very good career at Michigan State. He overcame three major injuries, graduated, won Big Ten titles and played in a Final Four. He kept working and improving, and tonight his dream of reaching the NBA came true."
Dawson joins Jamie Feick (1996-2nd round), Mateen Cleaves (2000-1st round), Morris Peterson (2000-1st round), Jason Richardson (2001-1st round), Zach Randolph (2001-1st round), Andre Hutson (2001-2nd round), Marcus Taylor (2002-2nd round), Erazem Lorbek (2005-2nd round), Shannon Brown (2006-1st round), Maurice Ager (2006-1st round), Paul Davis (2006-1st round), Goran Suton (2009-2nd round), Draymond Green (2012-1st round), Adreian Payne (2014-1st round), and Gary Harris (2014-1st round) as NBA Draft picks under Izzo. All-time, Michigan State has had 59 players selected in the NBA Draft, including 18 first rounders.
