University of Minnesota men’s basketball standout guard Cam Christie was drafted by the LA Clippers as the 46th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Thursday night. The Arlington Heights, Ill., product became the 55th player in Golden Gopher history to be selected in the NBA Draft.
Christie, who was a Gopher freshman in the 2023-24 season, is the first Minnesota player to be drafted since Daniel Oturu in 2020 when he was the 33rd overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves (he was subsequently traded to the New York Knicks; the Knicks traded Oturu to the L.A. Clippers). Christie is also the fifth Gopher to be drafted since 2000 and marks Ben Johnson’s first NBA drafted player as head coach.
“Congrats to Cam and his family on fulfilling a lifelong dream,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “Credit to him and the work he’s put in to be where he is today. The Clippers are getting a high character winner who will work his tail off every day to improve as a player. I cannot wait to watch his NBA success and I am proud he is part of our Gopher family.”
Christie ranked second on the team in scoring in the 2023-24 campaign when he averaged 11.3 points and 30.1 minutes played. Christie shot 40.3 from the field and 39.1 from beyond the arc. He ranked first on the team in three-pointers attempted (179) and second in three-pointers made (70). The rookie has also established 119 rebounds, 74 assists, 11 blocks, 21 steals, and 373 points.
Playing in 33 games in the 2023-24 season, Christie started in 26 of them and scored in double digits 21 times, including a six-game Big Ten streak. Christie was also a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Christie was the first Gopher freshman to land a spot on the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team since Amir Coffey in 2017.
Christie became the first-ever Golden Gopher drafted by the LA Clippers. Christie was drafted at the age of 18, turning 19 next month. Christie is tied with Pittsburgh’s Carlton (Bub) Carrington for the youngest collegiate player drafted this season.
Christie also joins the same organization as Gopher alum Amir Coffey (2016-19), who just completed his fifth NBA season this past year and has played in over 250 games.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
