MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Miami Heat selected former Memphis Tiger Precious Achiuwa with the No. 20 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Precious Achiuwa was the best player in the American Athletic Conference in his lone collegiate season. The Miami Heat hope that success can now translate to the NBA. The 6-foot-9 Achiuwa was taken by the Heat with the No. 20 pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft, giving the reigning Eastern Conference champions more frontcourt depth and athleticism.
“Yeah, of course. I watched the NBA Finals, and thankful they’re welcoming me to Miami,” Achiuwa said. “I think I can add a lot to the table, like add a lot of aggression and grittiness to the table and be that support for them inside. I’m a really, really competitive kind of player. I’m aggressive, too. I like to play really aggressive. I’m gritty, too, like you said. That’s what I’m about, being out there doing whatever it takes to win ballgames, and just that aggressiveness, that grittiness and just everything that it takes to win a basketball game.”
Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds for Memphis last season, shooting 49% from the field and posted 18 double-doubles in 31 games.
Achiuwa and James Wiseman become the first two Tigers drafted since 2012.
“I mean, it’s just amazing being able to continue that legacy. Obviously Memphis is a great city, I love that city, and just being able to have my name and be part of that city and that organization is a pleasure,” Achiuwa said.
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