BROOKLYN, N.Y. –
Johnny Davis became the latest Badger to see his NBA dreams come true, as the Wisconsin men's basketball standout was selected by the Washington Wizards with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday night at Barclays Center.
Davis became Wisconsin's highest drafted player and UW's first NBA lottery pick since Frank Kaminsky went ninth overall to the Charlotte Hornets in the 2015 NBA Draft. Sam Dekker was also selected in 2015, drafted 18th overall in the first round by the Houston Rockets.
Davis is Wisconsin's third top-10 pick in the common draft era, joining Devin Harris (No. 5 in 2004) and Frank Kaminsky (No. 9 in 2015). He is UW's 10th pick selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
"We are so proud of Johnny for fulfilling his dream of making the NBA," Wisconsin head coach
Greg Gard said. "The Washington Wizards are getting a proven winner, and the most competitive player in this draft class. I've always said that Johnny's best trait is his competitive drive, which will help him stand out at the next level. Playing for the University of Wisconsin meant something special to Johnny, and tonight meant something special to his state and our program."
Davis is the first Wisconsin underclassman to be drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft in the Common Draft Era (since 1966).
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A consensus first-team All-American, Davis filled up his trophy case last season winning the Jerry West shooting guard of the year, the Big Ten player of the year, and Lute Olson national player of the year awards. He averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while leading the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten regular season title.
