Tennessee Basketball Draft Picks In The Millennium

Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; An outside view of the BMO Harris Bradley Center prior to game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Chicago won 113-106. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

1. Marcus Haislip (13th pick to the Milwaukee Bucks)

Marcus Haislip is the highest pick in the new millennium. Haislip was the 13th pick in the 2002 draft to the Bucks in the city of beer.

Haislip was a three-year player at Tennessee. The 6’10” power forward was the type of athlete that is commonly referred to as having a lot of “upside”.

He was a long and athletic player with his 6’10” frame, and was coming off of a big junior season leading up to the draft.

However, in his first two seasons with the Vols, he only averaged about five points per game. It should also be noted that he was behind the likes of Ron Slay and Isiah Victor his freshman season.

In his junior season he improved to nearly 17 points per game and seven rebounds per game as more opportunity arose. He also received second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors.

As mentioned before, scouts saw upside in Haislip. But like the majority of skinny 6’10” athletic big men, he struggled with his offensive game inside.

Ultimately, this is what hurt the former Vol’s career in the NBA as he never found a home for more than two seasons. The power forward is currently playing in Turkey with former Michigan guard Manny Harris.

He appeared on the roster of three teams before going overseas: The Bucks for two years, the Pacers for less than a month, after the Malice at the Palace in 2004-05, and the Spurs in 2009.