June 26, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former UAB forward Walter Sharpe became the second-highest Blazer ever selected in the NBA Draft on Thursday night, when the Seattle Supersonics selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 Draft.

After being selected by the Supersonics, Sharpe was subsequently traded from the Sonics to the Detroit Pistons.

Sharpe played impressively in 12 games for UAB during the 2007-08 campaign. Sharpe finished the season with an average of 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor.

Sharpe just missed becoming the highest-ever UAB men's basketball player drafted in the NBA. Former standout Oliver Robinson was picked 24th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1982 draft. Steve Mitchell was next highest, earning the 36th overall pick by the Washington Bullets in the 1986 NBA Draft.