Well it took longer than most of us hoped, but Nick Calathes was drafted Thursday night by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the NBA draft with the forty fifth pick. The 6’5, 185 pound twenty year old, was predicted by most to be picked before the end of the first round, but knowing Nick has already signed a contract to play for Panathinkaikos Athens, in the Greek league, might have made teams reconsider using a first round pick on Calathes.

ESPN’s Chad Ford ranked Calathes as a mid to late first round draft pick and as the 14th best point guard in the draft.

Nick came to the University of Florida as one of the most highly touted players in UF basketball recruiting history. Nick was a five star recruit and ranked the 14th best player in the nation, and the third best point guard in the nation. He was ranked ahead of some notable players including first round draft picks: Jonny Flynn, Blake Griffin, and Jeff Teague.

Nick backed this up with a stellar high school career where he, and former Gator teammate Chandler Parsons, also a five star recruit, led the Lake Howell Silver Hawks to four straight final four appearances, before finally going out with one in his senior year. He averaged 28 points a game, 8 rebounds a game, 6 assist a game, and four steals a game in his final prep season. He was also a McDonalds All-American, as well as a Jordan Brand All-American, a Parade All-American, and Florida‘s Gatorade player of the year. Calathes also holds the distinction of being one of only three players to ever be named Florida’s Mr. Basketball twice.

During his high school career he also played with Joey Rodriguez, the starting point guard for Virginia Commonwealth, and his older brother Pat Calathes who played for St. Joes, and now plays professionally in Greece.

For his Florida career Calathes put up some solid numbers in his two seasons of play for the Gators. His freshman year Nick averaged: 17.2 points per game with 5.2 rebounds a game, 6.1 assist a game, and 1.6 steals a game. His Sophomore season Nick bettered each stat averaging: 17.2 points a game, along with 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assist, and 1.9 steals a game for the Gators. In his freshman year, Calathes was rewarded for his efforts earning All-SEC second team honors along with All-Freshman team, and being named the Co- SEC Freshman of the year (Patrick Patterson). Also while at UF, Nick recorded two triple-doubles, beating out Corey Brewer’s one.

By: Spencer Geldreich