Nerlens Noel will wear No. 5 to note the number of teams that passed on him in the draft

 

This June's NBA Draft was notable for its largely unpredictable lottery, in which an absence of surefire stars caused various non-playoff teams to defy expectations and make several shocking selections. Yet, even given the character of the night, Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel's slide from potential top pick to No. 6 overall (where he was selected by the New Orleans Hornets and then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers) qualified as a big surprise. Although an ACL injury suffered in mid-February made him a less enticing prospect than when he first started his lone season in Lexington, Noel was still expected to be one of the first picks.

 

Like many players before him, Noel is approaching his drop as an opportunity rather than a bad omen. As tweeted by Pablo S. Torre of ESPN (via SLAM), Noel will wear No. 5 to note the number of teams who passed on him in the draft.

 

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Love it. #motivation

I hope this is the last we hear about teams passing on him.

I hope this is the last we hear about teams passing on him.

 

I don't. I hope three or four years from now we look back and say man those guys were all crazy to draft those dudes ahead of Nerlens. May not happen, but I hope one day I can look back and say every single one of those teams blew it.

 

Of course this is coming from a UK fan and Nerlens supporter.

I don't. I hope three or four years from now we look back and say man those guys were all crazy to draft those dudes ahead of Nerlens. May not happen, but I hope one day I can look back and say every single one of those teams blew it.

 

Of course this is coming from a UK fan and Nerlens supporter.

 

I hope he proves it. I'm just tired of hearing about it.

I hope he does great in the league. I love how Cal has enhanced UK fan's reasons for watching the NBA!

Noel will wear No. 5 to note the number of teams who passed on him in the draft.

 

More: Y! SPORTS

 

Yawn......

 

We get it, you have no offensive game, you're coming off an ACL injury, yet you're perturbed teams dare pass on you. :isurrender:

Yawn......

 

We get it, you have no offensive game, you're coming off an ACL injury, yet you're perturbed teams dare pass on you. :isurrender:

 

Nerlens is one of my favorite kids to come through Lexington but we are in complete agreement.

I hope he does great in the league. I love how Cal has enhanced UK fan's reasons for watching the NBA!

 

It's not like previous coaches had no players go to the league. Granted, Cal's been amazing at it, but previous guys got their fair share in.

I'm sure the this isn't the real "Answer" to why he's wearing #5.

I'm sure the this isn't the real "Answer" to why he's wearing #5.

 

Joe DiMaggio fan?

Brooks Robinson.

Brooks Robinson.

 

Says the B-more guy.

I don't. I hope three or four years from now we look back and say man those guys were all crazy to draft those dudes ahead of Nerlens. May not happen, but I hope one day I can look back and say every single one of those teams blew it.

 

Of course this is coming from a UK fan and Nerlens supporter.

 

Agreed. And I'm the Duke fan.

 

Agreed. And I'm the closet UK fan.

Fixed.