Former University of Utah Center Jakob Poeltl found out where he will be playing in the NBA this upcoming season, he will be going to the Toronto Raptors. The 7’0 248 pound Poeltl averaged 17.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG in his Sophomore season with the Utes. His two years with Utah, he averaged 13.3 PPG and 8 RPG. He is the first Austrian born player to be drafted into the NBA. He will join former Utah Guard Delon Wright who will enter his second season in the NBA.
Poeltl becomes the first NBA Lottery pick since Andrew Bogut went No. 1 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2005. He is the fifth lottery pick since 1997 and 12th overall first-round pick in school history. Poeltl is the 36th Ute to be selected in the NBA Draft.
As a lottery pick, Poeltl follows in the footsteps of Bogut, Andre Miller (1999, No. 8), Michael Doleac (1998, No. 12) and Keith Van Horn (1997, No. 2).
“Playing the past two years at Utah was an unbelievable experience for me,” Poeltl said after being drafted to the Raptors. “Not a lot of guys coming over from Europe get the chance to learn the American-style of play. I think that prepared me for the NBA.”
The Raptors finished with a 56-26 record and their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in franchise history.
