Fresno State University Athletics issued the following announcement on Dec 22.
With the 2020-21 NBA season poised to tip off tonight, three former Fresno State basketball players Paul George (2008-10), Tyler Johnson (2010-14) and Paul Watson (2013-17) are currently on NBA rosters as three of the 31 former Bulldogs to have played in the NBA.
Paul George (Fresno State: 2008-10; No. 10 overall in 2010 NBA Draft)
Paul George is in his 11th NBA season and second with the Los Angeles Clippers, who recently extended his contract through the 2024-25 season. He was drafted 10th overall in 2010 by the Indiana Pacers (2010-17) and later played two seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2017-19.
George won a gold medal with Team USA during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, is a six-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, including the 2018-19 All-NBA First Team, and four-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team. George was named the NBA Most Improved Player in 2013 and finished third in the 2018-19 NBA's Most Valuable Player voting.
Tyler Johnson (Fresno State: 2010-14)
Johnson is in his seventh season in the NBA and enters his first full season with the Brooklyn Nets, after resigning with the team following a successful showing in the 2020 NBA Bubble. Johnson started his NBA career by playing over four and a half seasons for the Miami Heat before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2019.
Johnson scored 1,346 points during his four-year Fresno State career and ranks No. 17 all-time on the Bulldogs' all-time scoring list. Johnson was undrafted, but earned a roster spot with Miami after a strong showing during the NBA Summer League in 2014.
Paul Watson (Fresno State: 2013-17)
Watson enters his second season in the NBA and first on a full NBA contract after officially signing that new contract with the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 20, 2020. Watson had playing on a two-way contract with the Raptors on Jan. 15, 2020, and then played in eight games for Toronto during the 2019-20 regular season, including six in the 2020 NBA Bubble in Orlando prior to the start of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Watson made his NBA debut on a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks, which he signed on Jan. 6, 2020 and led to two game appearances with the Hawks before moving north to Toronto.
Paul Watson was the 2013-14 Mountain West Freshman of the Year and a 2013-14 Freshman All-American. Watson represented Fresno State as one of the eight participants in the 2020 State Farm College Slam Dunk Championship during the 2017 NCAA Final Four weekend in Phoenix.Fresno State producing NBA Draft Lottery picks, pros
In the last 21 seasons, Fresno State has produced three NBA Lottery picks - Paul George (No. 10 overall in 2010), Melvin Ely (No. 12 overall in 2002) and Courtney Alexander (No. 13 overall in 2000) - while UNLV has two and San Diego State has one in that same 21-season span. Overall, Fresno State has had 31 players go on to play in the NBA, including 21 being selected in the NBA Draft with five first-round picks (four since 2000).
Most NBA Lottery Picks (Last 21 Seasons • 2000-20)
- Fresno State: 3
- UNLV: 2
- San Diego State: 1
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up