GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The first-ever draft pick of the Grand Rapids Drive has already established himself as a rising star.
Robert Covington – the 2014 D-Leauge Rookie of the Year – was taken by the Drive with the first overall pick of the 2014 NBDL Draft, part of the franchise’s inaugural draft class.
Covington was undrafted out of Tennessee State in 2013, but signed by the Houston Rockets – who sent him to their affiliate in the Rio Grande Valley. He played in seven games with the Rockets last season.
The Drive took former Notre Dame star Ben Hansbrough with the fifth overall pick in the draft Saturday. He younger brother of current Toronto Raptor and 2008 National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough. Ben was the 2011 Big East Player of the Year.
Grand Rapids selected former Cal State Fullerton/California star Omondi Amoke, 2008 All-Big Ten third teamer Shaun Pruitt of Illinois, recent Georgia Tech grad Kammeon Holsey, former Portland State point guard Dominic Waters, ex-Tennessee/USC star Renaldo Woolridge, and former Purdue/UIC standout Kelsey Barlow in Rounds 2-5.
St. Mary’s standout Moses Sundufu and former Ferris State star Jerrell Sanders were chosen in the late rounds.
The Drive will announce their first roster later Saturday.
