Former UT Arlington forward Kevin Hervey became the highest NBA Draft selection in program history when he was selected in the second round with the 57th pick overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The selection marks a dream come true moment for the Arlington native.
The selection was announced by Deputy NBA Commissioner Mark Tatum at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Hervey, a native of Arlington, is the fourth UTA player ever selected in the draft and the first since the NBA reduced the number of rounds to just two in 1989. Paul Renfro became UTA's first-ever draft pick when he was taken in the ninth round (181st overall) by the Utah Jazz in 1980. Two Mavericks were selected in 1982 - both by the Dallas Mavericks. Ralph McPherson was selected in the 9th round (188th) and Albert Culton picked in the 10th round (209th).
Hervey is also the first Sun Belt Conference player drafted since Georgia State's R.J. Hunter, who was selected in the first round by the Boston Celtics in 2015.
The 2017 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Hervey concluded his collegiate career in March as the most accomplished player in program history. A 2-time first team all-Sun Belt, NABC All-District and Lou Henson All-America selection, led the team in scoring average and rebounding in three of his four seasons.
He finished as the program's all-time rebounding leader and second in total points scored, field goals and field goal attempts. He also set a program record for most career double-doubles and his 676 points last season was just two shy of UTA's single season record.
Hervey, who missed 19 games as a sophomore due to a knee injury, averaged 15.5 points and 8.0 rebounds over his four seasons. He shot .440 from the field and .768 from the free throw line, while handing out 1.9 assists and intercepting 1.0 steals per game.
As a senior, Hervey finished second in the Sun Belt in scoring and rebounding with average of 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
UTA won 65 percent of its games during Hervey's career, going 88-48 overall and claiming the 2017 Sun Belt regular season championship. Despite finishing fourth in 2018, the Mavericks knocked off top-seeded Louisiana and advanced to the championship final of the league's postseason tournament.
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