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Maryland Basketball: Top 10 NBA draft picks

By Chris Bengel

Feb 13, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; A general view of the Cole Field House center court prior to the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; A general view of the Cole Field House center court prior to the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins students unfurl a Maryland state flag during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Xfinity Center.Virginia Cavaliers defeated Maryland Terrapins 76-65. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins students unfurl a Maryland state flag during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Xfinity Center.Virginia Cavaliers defeated Maryland Terrapins 76-65. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 John Lucas

Some players take time to get adjusted to the college game out of high school. However, that certainly wasn’t the case with star guard John Lucas. Lucas came to College Park and averaged 14. points during his freshman season in 1972-73.

During his junior and senior seasons, Lucas was a Consensus All-American and averaged over 19 points a game during those campaigns. Lucas was a phenomenal passer as he finished fifth in program history in assists (514). His 178 assists during the 1972-73 season rank 10th all-time in Maryland history.

After four sensational years at Maryland, Lucas was selected with the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1976 NBA Draft. The star Maryland guard played 14 seasons in the NBA in which he averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 assists.

Lucas spent time with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets (two stints), Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle SuperSonics, and Washington Bullets. He was part of the Rockets 1986 team that made it to the Finals before losing to the Boston Celtics.

The Terps have had many great guards during their history. However, few were able to affect the game in a variety of ways like Lucas did. His success in college and at the NBA level are why he lands so high in the countdown.

Next: A true NBA journeyman