NBA draft 2020: Jordan Nwora drafted 45th overall by Milwaukee Bucks

Jordan Nwora’s professional career will begin with the Milwaukee Bucks, who selected the former Cardinal forward with the 45th overall pick in Wednesday night’s NBA draft.

Nwora’s selection marks the seventh time in the last eight years that Louisville has had at least one player selected in the NBA draft. The Buffalo native is the 76th Cardinal to hear his name called by an NBA team.

As a junior in 2019-20, Nwora became just the second Cardinal to earn First Team All-ACC honors, joining Donovan Mitchell (2016-17). Nwora was the only player to rank among the ACC’s top ten in scoring (18.0 ppg, second in the ACC), rebounding (7.7, 8th), free throw percentage (.813, 4th), field goal percentage (.440, 8th) and three-pointers made per game (2.5, 2nd).

Nwora also picked up Third Team All-America honors from the Associated Press following the season, making him the 21st player in U of L history — and the first since Russ Smith in 2013-14 — to be named an All-American by the AP.

Congrats to Jordan on realizing a lifelong dream, and best wishes that his professional career is lengthy and successful.