The Milwaukee Bucks selected former Pitt standout Lamar Patterson with the 48th pick in the NBA draft Thursday night at Barclays Center in New York, then traded him to the Atlanta Hawks.
Many online projections from NBA experts had Patterson going unselected, but the second-team all-ACC performer was the only local player chosen and ended up giving the Panthers draft picks in back-to-back seasons after Steven Adams was taken 12th overall in 2013.
The 6-foot-5 Patterson, who was taken one pick after Louisville star Russ Smith, averaged 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game last season in leading Pitt to the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Atlanta‘s other two picks were Michigan State forward Adreian Payne in the first round and international center Walter Tavares 43rd overall. The Hawks were 38-44 this season and lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs in seven games.
Fellow Pitt alum Talib Zanna, former Iowa State and Schenley High School star DeAndre Kane and Robert Morris graduate Karvel Anderson were not drafted.
First Published: June 27, 2014, 4:00 a.m.
Updated: June 27, 2014, 4:13 a.m.
