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The 10 Most Successful UW Huskies Basketball Players in the NBA/ABA

By Ben Renner

Oct 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Nate Robinson (2) reacts as he made a three pointer to tie the game during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 10-107 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Nate Robinson (2) reacts as he made a three pointer to tie the game during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 10-107 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Isaiah Thomas

Thomas had an excellent career with the UW Huskies, which we all remember. He was a three-time All-Conference selection in the Pac-10 before foregoing his final year under coach Romar to declare for the NBA Draft. Thomas led the UW Huskies to the Sweet Sixteen in 2010, a season in which he averaged 16.9 points, 3.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. In 2011, Thomas put the UW Huskies in the NCAA Tournament by scoring 28 points in the Pac-10 Championship game against Arizona, including the game-winning shot at the buzzer in overtime.

A 5’9” point guard from Tacoma, Thomas wasn’t highly touted headed into the NBA draft despite his distinguished collegiate career at Washington. He participated in a pre-draft documentary called “Road to the NBA: The Isaiah Thomas Story” and became the last player selected in the NBA Draft in 2011 when the Sacramento Kings finally took him. By the time his career in Sacramento was over, he was the shortest player ever to record a triple-double in a game against the Washington Wizards, and became the fourth NBA player under six feet tall to average at least 20 points and six assists in a season.

After a season with the Phoenix Suns, Thomas was traded to the Boston Celtics, where he became a key player for head coach Brad Stephens. Thomas was last seen willing his Celtics to victories in games three and four in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. He scored 40 points in game three and 28 in game four.

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