The Creighton University men’s basketball program is sending a trio of former stars to the NBA this season, continuing the school’s rich tradition of producing professional-level talent.
Bluejays Are Making Their Mark In The NBA
Creighton has a long history of its players finding success in the NBA, with an alum suiting up in 41 of the last 42 seasons and 58 of the past 61 years. Three Bluejays, Doug McDermott, Trey Alexander, and Baylor Scheierman, are poised to make their professional debuts this year.
Doug McDermott: A Creighton Legend
Leading the pack is Doug McDermott, who is entering his 11th NBA season. The 32-year-old forward is a Creighton icon, leaving the school as the most decorated player in program history.
During his time with the Bluejays from 2010-2014, McDermott was a three-time conference player of the year and became the first male in 30 years to be named a First Team All-American for three straight seasons by the Associated Press. He also left Creighton as the seventh-highest scorer in NCAA history with 3,150 career points.
Following his 11th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, McDermott has established a strong professional career, averaging double figures in four of the previous five seasons. He’s currently joining the Sacramento Kings after a stint with the San Antonio Spurs last year.
Trey Alexander And Baylor Scheierman: Newcomers To The NBA
Despite McDermott’s extensive NBA experience, two of Creighton’s most recent graduates will be making their professional debuts this season.
Trey Alexander went undrafted but signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets on July 3rd. The 6’4″ guard was a standout for the Bluejays over the past three seasons, finishing his college career ranked 16th in program history with 1,376 points.
Baylor Scheierman, on the other hand, was the final pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, landing with the defending champion Boston Celtics. The 6’7″ forward was a two-time All-American and unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST selection at Creighton, leading the team in scoring and rebounding last season.
Continuing Creighton’s NBA Tradition
Once Alexander and Scheierman make their NBA debuts, they will become the 17th and 18th former Creighton players to appear in an NBA game. They’ll join an illustrious list that includes the likes of Paul Silas, Benoit Benjamin, Anthony Tolliver, and Kyle Korver.
This latest crop of Bluejays reflects the program’s ability to consistently develop NBA-caliber talent under head coach Greg McDermott, Doug’s father. “Including 2024-25, Creighton has now had an NBA player in 41 of the last 42 years and 58 out of 61 seasons since 1964-65,” the university noted in a press release.
A Bright Future Is Ahead
As the new NBA season tips off, Creighton fans will be closely watching their three former stars make their marks at the professional level. For McDermott, it’s an opportunity to continue his impressive career, while Alexander and Scheierman will be eager to prove themselves as rookie standouts.
Regardless of their individual trajectories, this group of Bluejays represents the continued excellence of Creighton basketball and the program’s ability to develop elite talent. With more young stars on the horizon, the future looks bright for Creighton’s NBA presence.
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