Wednesday, Jun. 30
Scott Padgett
Drafted by:
Utah, Round 1, pick 28.

 
EXPERT ANALYSIS
  "Scott Padgett is a versatile small forward on the collegiate level that can play inside or outside. He has very good range on his jumpshot and was one of the tougher matchups in the SEC. Padgett has soft hands and is a good passer, and proved to be a good pick-and-roll player because he could hit the perimeter shot.

Padgett is a good post defender but has not shown the ability to defend on the perimeter, which he will have to do as a small forward in the NBA. He had a tough time with his shooting consistency during his senior year, but played very well in big games. Padgett needs to improve his ballhandling and must show he can hit a pull-up jumper and get somewhere when he puts the ball down.

The scouting report on Padgett was to run at him and force him to put the ball on the floor, make him dribble where he could not hurt you as badly. Padgett is vocal and a winner, and could be a good player on the next level if he can learn to survive on the defensive end with his suspect speed and quickness."
-- ESPN's Jay Bilas

College: Kentucky
Height: 6-9
Weight: 240 pounds
Position: Forward
Age: 23 (April 19, 1976)
Birthplace: Louisville, Ky.

Career highlights

  • Named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press as a senior
  • Tallied 11 double-doubles during four-year career
  • Started 96 of the final 98 games of his career
  • After overcoming academic problems early in his career, rebounded to post a 4.0 grade point average in fall semester and made the Athletic Director's Honor Roll
  • Also earned Academic All-SEC honors in junior and senior year
  • Named to the SEC's Good Works Team in February for his charitable efforts in the community
  • Hit 51 of 60 (.850) free throws in his NCAA Tournament career to finish in the top five all-time
  • Helped the U.S. to a gold medal at the World University Games in Italy, Summer of 1997
  • Following senior season, named to all-tournament team at Nike Desert Classic after averaging 13.3 ppg and 7.7 rpg.

    College highlights
    Senior

  • Led team to NCAA Elite Eight
  • Was named a John Wooden All American by the Los Angeles Athletic Club
  • Selected first-team All-SEC by the coaches and second team all-SEC by AP
  • Named MVP of the SEC Tournament after averaging 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game
  • For the season, led Wildcats in scoring at 12.6 points per game
  • Had a career high 29 points to lead Kentucky over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament

    Junior

  • Helped team win NCAA National Championship
  • Finished third on the team in scoring (11.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.5 rpg)
  • Started 35 of 37 games played
  • For the second consecutive season, scored 17 points in NCAA Championship Game to earn Chevrolet's Player of the Game award
  • Totaled 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 1998 Final Four against Stanford and Utah to gain All-Final Four Team honors for the second year in a row
  • Hit a 3-pointer with 39.4 second left broke a 81-81 tie with Duke in the South Regional Final
  • Had 23 points and 10 rebounds in game vs. Mississippi State

    Redshirt sophomore

  • Missed fall semester of 1996-97 season in order to gain eligibility
  • Became eligible in December and finished the season as the team's third leading scorer (9.6 ppg) and its fourth leading rebounder (5.1 rpg)
  • Started 25 of the 32 games played
  • Scored a then-career high 24 points against Tennessee

    Sophomore

  • Missed the 1995-96 season for academic reasons

    Freshman

  • Played in only 14 games averaging 2.0 ppg and 1.2 rpg

    College statistics
    SEASON G FGM FGA PCT FTM FTA PCT REB AST PTS AVG
    SEASONGFGMFGAPCTFTMFTAPCTREBASTPTSAVG
    1994-9514727.2591012.833174282.0
    1996-9732100244.4106180.763162563089.6
    1997-9839161338.47687102.8532558244911.5
    1998-9937156335.46694138.6812179646712.6
    TOTALS122424944.449252332.759651238125210.3
    Three-point field goals: 1994-95, 4-for-13 (.308); 1996-97, 47-for-138 (.341); 1997-98, 40-for-107 (.374); 1998-99, 61-for-160 (..381). Totals: 152-for-418 (.364 ).











    • ESPN.COM
    NBA: Scores/Schedules | Standings | Statistics | Transactions | Injuries
    Copyright ©1999 ESPN Internet Ventures. Click here for Terms of Use and Privacy Policy applicable to this site. Click here for a list of employment opportunities with ESPN.com.