St. Bonaventure forward Andrew Nicholson (44) was A-10 Player of the Year as a senior.
The Magic selected two four-year players in Thursday night’s draft. Their first round selection, number 19 overall, was forward Andrew Nicholson from St. Bonaventure. Their other choice, number 49, Kyle O’Quinn out of Norfolk State.
Andrew Nicholson 6-foot-9 Forward, St. Bonaventure
The Canadian-born forward was the Atlantic-10 Player of the Year as a senior. He averaged 18.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest in his final season with the Bonnies.
Nicholson was a baseball player entering his junior year of high school when he decided to give basketball a try, wise choice.
“I think the one good thing about ‘Drew is that he has a natural instinct, for how to play around the rim, how to play away from the rim…certainly there are a lot of skills that he possesses and he is certainly going to improve on some things.” said, Magic GM Rob Hennigan.
“They like my versatility, they like my length and my size, I’m ready to come in and contribute to the team. I’m very excited right now” said Nicholson who had every right to be.
The young Nicholson fits in nicely with the Magic’s outside shooting big men, Nicholson shot 43 percent from beyond the arc last season.
Kyle O’Quinn 6-foot-10 Forward/Center Norfolk State
Kyle O’Quinn isn’t a household name, unless you’re a fan of Norfolk State, or Missouri. O’Quinn played a huge role in last year’s upset over number-two seeded, Missouri.
O’Quinn claims that last year’s performance against Missouri took him “from nobody or somebody.”
“It opened a lot of eyes to guys that read the internet and stuff, to do what I do on a national stage opened up a lot of eyes and really put my name out there in the pre-draft process.” Said O’Quinn
Having drafted two big men, it might be clear in which direction the Magic are preparing for.
But for now, Orlando is celebrating their draft picks.
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