When it comes to building a championship-caliber roster, the Golden State Warriors have long relied on the NBA draft as their secret weapon. From unearthing hidden gems to landing future Hall of Famers, the annual selection event has been the foundation of many memorable teams. But while the Warriors are famous for drafting stars from powerhouse programs, they've also cast a wide net—reaching into smaller schools and lesser-known conferences to find talent.
One such school is the University of Dayton. Though the Flyers may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Warriors draft history, a handful of Dayton alumni have heard their names called by Golden State over the years. Let's take a closer look at every player drafted by the Warriors out of Dayton, and see how their journeys unfolded.
1962 NBA Draft
Round: 4th (7th pick, 34th overall)
Seasons with Warriors: Did not make the team
1969 NBA Draft
Round: 6th (7th pick, 78th overall)
Seasons with Warriors: Did not make the team
1971 NBA Draft
Round: 7th (8th pick, 110th overall)
Seasons with Warriors: Did not make the team
As the list shows, these selections came during an era when the draft stretched deep into the later rounds—a time when teams took more chances on long-shot prospects. Unfortunately, none of these Dayton draftees ever suited up for the Warriors in a regular-season game. Still, their draft spots are a fascinating piece of NBA history, reminding us how much the league has evolved in its approach to scouting and roster building.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference. For more on the Warriors' draft history, stay tuned to Warriors Wire.