Blake Wesley, the first ‘one-and-done’ in Notre Dame men’s basketball history, was selected in the first round (25th overall) by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday night. The South Bend, Indiana, native, the first public school basketball player to attend Notre Dame since 1985, becomes the sixth NBA draft selection of the Mike Brey era.
With the 25th pick of the 2022 #NBADraft, the San Antonio Spurs select … Blake Wesley
#PorVida | @SelfCreditApp pic.twitter.com/vqdhgWUNqW
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 24, 2022
Wesley burst onto the scene in his first game with the Irish in 2021-22, becoming the first freshman since Chris Thomas in 2001 to score 20 points in their first career contest. He followed up by hitting the game winning shot against No. 10/12 Kentucky with :12 remaining in the first home start of his career. That earned him national rookie of the week honors and the first of three Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the week accolades.
A 2022 All-ACC Second Team selection and All-Rookie Team pick, Wesley led the Irish in scoring at 14.4 points per game, averaged 2.4 assists a contest and pulled down over three rebounds per game.
His memorable performances at Notre Dame included 18 points in the NCAA tournament first round victory over Alabama, 21 points at Florida State, six three-point field goals and 24 points at Wake Forest, 18 points in the first 10 minutes of the game at Clemson (including starting the game six-for-six from the field), nine straight points in a 22-point performance at Louisville and 24 points in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Illinois.
Yes! @blakewesley0 ! https://t.co/b4rLYngcOK pic.twitter.com/AD0VI6Hxyv
— Mike Brey (@NDMikeBrey) June 24, 2022
Notre Dame NBA Draft History (Brey Era)
Year| Name | Round | Overall Pick | Team
2022 | Blake Wesley | 1st | 25th |Spurs
2016 | Demetrius Jackson | 2nd | 45th | Celtics
2015 | Jerian Grant | 1st | 19th | Wizards (traded to Hawks, then Knicks)
2015 | Pat Connaughton | 2nd | 41st | Nets (traded to Trailblazers)
2010 | Luke Harangody | 2nd | 52nd | Celtics
2002 | Ryan Humphrey | 1st | 19th | Jazz (traded to Magic)
2001 | Troy Murphy | 1st | 14th | Warriors
Notre Dame NBA First Round Draft Pick History
2022 | Blake Wesley | 1st | 25th | Spurs
2015 | Jerian Grant | 1st | 19th | Wizards
2002 | Ryan Humphrey | 1st | 19th | Jazz (traded to Magic)
2001 | Troy Murphy | 1st | 14th | Warriors
1998 | Pat Garrity | 1st | 19th | Bucks
1994 | Monty Williams | 1st | 24th | Knicks
1992 | LaPhonso Ellis | 1st | 5th | Nuggets
1988 | David Rivers | 1st | 25th | Lakers
1986 | Ken Barlow | 1st | 23rd | Lakers
1983 | John Paxson | 1st | 19th | SuperSonics
1981 | Kelly Tripucka | 1st | 12th | Pistons
1981 | Orlando Woolridge | 1st | 6th | Bulls
1980 | Bill Hanzlik | 1st | 20th | SuperSonics
1976 | Adrian Dantley | 1st | 6th | Buffalo Braves
1974 | Gary Brokaw | 1st | 18th | Bucks
1974 | John Shumate | 1st | 4th | Suns
1971 | Collis Jones | 1st | 17th | Bucks
1971 | Austin Carr | 1st | 1st | Cavaliers
1959 | Tom Hawkins | 1st | 3rd | Lakers
1954 | Dick Rosenthal | 1st | 4th | Pistons
1950 | Kevin O’Shea | 1st | 10th | Lakers