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Wednesday, Jun. 30
Ron Artest
Drafted by:
Chicago, Round 1, pick 16.
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EXPERT ANALYSIS
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"Ron Artest blossomed into a star in his sophomore year. He is a very smart, fluid player that passes and handles the ball very well. In fact, Artest served as a point forward at times for St. John's, bringing the ball up the court against pressure and looking over the top of a defense with his size. Artest is a very good athlete that has terrific strength, and he can compete physically with anyone in college. He should be able to make the jump with his toughness and smarts.
Artest can defend, but has questions about how well he can move his feet. However, he has active hands and can handle himself down in the post. Really, he can play defense when he wants to, but would rather play on the other end. Artest has the ability to score, but he is not a good shooter. Rather, Artest scores along the baseline, on drives, and on the glass. He can hit the 3 with time, but has not shown the ability to get his own shot."
-- ESPN's Jay Bilas
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College: St. John's
Height: 6-7
Weight: 246 pounds
Position: Guard
/ Forward
Age: 19
(Nov. 13, 1979)
Birthplace: Queensbridge, N.Y.
Career highlights
Early entry candidate for the 1999 NBA draft
Named Third Team All-America by The Associated Press as a sophomore
Named First Team All-Big East as a sophomore and All-Big East Rookie Team as a freshman
Led team to NCAA Elite Eight as a sophomore, as St. John's came within one win of NCAA Final Four, losing to South Regional champion Ohio State 77-74 on March 20
In his two seasons at St. John's, the Red Storm posted a 50-19 record (.725)
In addition to AP honors, was named Third Team All-America by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Basketball Times
The leading candidate for the Haggerty Award (Metro New York writers), the highest honor in the New York Metropolitan Area
Also named USBWA District II Player of the Year
College highlights
Sophomore
Led the team to a 28-9 record, averaging 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game
Also posted 156 assists (4.2 apg), 44 blocks, 76 steals (2.05 spg) and led the team with 58 three-pointers made
Became just the second St. John's player ever to register a triple-double when he scored 13 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 11 assists vs. Seton Hall
Led the team in scoring 10 times, in rebounding 12 times and in assists 15 times
His steals total is the second highest ever for a season in school history
His 58 three-pointers, 44 blocks, and 156 assists also rank among the best in St. Johns history
Scored 20 points or more six times in a game, including a season-high 25 points vs. Rutgers
Freshman
As a freshman, was named to the All-Big East Rookie Team, the Big East All-Tournament team and was a four-time Big East Rookie of the Week selection
layed in all 32 games and started in 12
Teammate of Felipe Lopez (Vancouver Grizzlies)
Finished the season third on the team in scoring (11.6 ppg)
He led the team in scoring twice and rebounding six times
Scored 20 or more points in a game four times
Led team in steals (52) and blocks (36)
Scored career-high 26 points vs. Boston College
Grabbed career-high 15 rebounds vs. Villanova
College statistics
SEASON |
G |
FGM |
FGA |
PCT |
FTM |
FTA |
PCT |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
AVG |
1997-98 | 32 | 139 | 335 | .415 | 60 | 114 | .526 | 201 | 62 | 372 | 11.6
| 1998-99 | 37 | 196 | 418 | .469 | 85 | 132 | .644 | 232 | 156 | 535 | 14.5
| TOTALS | 69 | 335 | 753 | .445 | 145 | 246 | .589 | 433 | 218 | 907 | 13.1
| Three-point field goals: 1997-98, 34-for-104 (.327); 1998-99, 58-for-155 (.374) Totals: 92-for-259 (.355).
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