Jordan McRae Picked by Spurs, Traded to 76ers

Mar 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan McRae (52) dunks the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the quarterfinals of the SEC college basketball tournament at Georgia Dome. Tennessee won 59-44. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

A good night for Tennessee basketball fans turned into a great one not long after the clock struck midnight, as fans saw two former Vols drafted into the NBA for the first time since 2002.

With the 58th overall pick in the 2nd round, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Jordan McRae. He, just like former teammate Jarnell Stokes, was traded immediately after being picked. The Spurs sent McRae to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he will have a chance to earn immediate playing time.

The 76ers had a need at small forward heading into the draft, but they addressed that need long before they traded to get McRae. In the second round, Philadelphia drafted small forwards K.J. McDaniels (Clemson) with the 32nd pick and Jerami Grant (Syracuse) with the 39th pick. Not only will McRae have competition for minutes, but he’ll also face tough competition to even make the roster.

Second round picks in the NBA are not given guaranteed contracts. That means that even though McRae was drafted, he’s not guaranteed a roster spot for Philadelphia.

McRae had a stellar senior season for the Vols, averaging 18.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in his final season with the Vols.

It will remain to be seen whether McRae can secure a spot on Philadelphia’s roster, but with the team needing talent and players who can score and give their team some grit, McRae should find a home there.