Add one more Pac-12 Alumni to the 2017 Los Angeles Lakers team as Andrew Bogut just signed a one-year veteran minimum contract according to Shams Charania.
The Los Angeles Lakers reported signing of Andrew Bogut basically came out of nowhere. Per reports from the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the former Cleveland Cavaliers center was eyeing the Boston Celtics as the team he wanted to join as recent as a week ago.
However, it was not meant to be.
Tonight, Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that the Lakers had signed Bogut to a veteran’s minimum contract.
"“Free agent center Andrew Bogut has agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, agent David Bauman of ISE tells The Vertical.”"
With all the Pac-12 talent on the team already on the court and on the coaching staff, adding one more just put a smile on my face. It also put a smile on one of our Lakers faces as well it seems.
Kyle Kuzma, also a former Utah Ute (it’s an Amercian Indian, we always ask this question to Utes, ‘What is a Ute?’ and they hate it haha.)
https://twitter.com/kylekuzma/status/909977888283172864
The Milwaukee Bucks chose Bogut as the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. To be fair, Utah was not a Pac-12 team when Andrew played there; the team was a part of the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Nonetheless, the Utes are now a part of the Pac-12, so I’m going to count it!
Bogut left the NCAA after his sophomore year after earning the following seven awards:
You can see how the 7-foot 245 lb Melbourne, Austrailia native improved from his freshman to his sophomore year by reviewing his stats.
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 9/18/2017.
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 9/18/2017.
But wait there’s more! A reunion with agents, and his former coach:
Doing an end-around on this Andrew Bogut tweet to avoid the 140 barrier... pic.twitter.com/DL20GGYrRo
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) September 19, 2017
Bogut wasn’t the only No. 1 Draft pick from Utah in 2005, fellow student-athlete quarterback Alex Smith (now with the Kansas City Chiefs) was also drafted No. 1 in the NFL Draft.
Next: Lakers influenced by Pac-12 Conference of Champions royalty
Bringing on an NBA Champion who has competed globally, in the NBA Finals, and in the Pac-12 and a former No. 1 NBA Draft pick cannot be a bad pickup. Bravo Magic and Pelinka! You stole one away from the Celtics!