Jeff Withey drafted by Portland Trailblazers

Jeff Withey, Kansas’ greatest shot blocker ever, was drafted by Portland Trailblazers with the 39th pick.

With the 39th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers select Jeff Withey from the University of Kansas #RipCityDraft

— Trail Blazers (@pdxtrailblazers) June 28, 2013

I know God has put me right where I need to be! I feel so blessed to be going to Portland

— Jeff Withey (@JeffWithey) June 28, 2013

The Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 Big 12 Championship, Withey led Kansas in rebounding at 8.5 boards per game to complement his 13.7 scoring average. The 7-foot San Diego native broke his own Kansas and Big 12 single-season record blocked shots record with 146 blocks in 2012-13. Last season Withey blocked 140 shots to set the school and league mark. The 2012 and 2013 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Withey is also the KU and Big 12 career blocked shots leader ending his career with 312 all-time blocks. A three-time Big 12 Player of the Week this season, Withey led the Big 12 with 3.95 blocked shots per game, which ranks second nationally, and set the KU and conference per game average season record. Last week Withey was named Consensus All-America Second Team along with KU redshirt freshman guard Ben McLemore. 

In a pre-Draft conference call, Jay Bilas had this to say about Jeff Withey:

On the difference between Withey and Cole Aldrich:

“They’re really different. Withey is probably a little bit more mobile. He’s a better shot blocker and rim protector, but he’s slight of build. So getting and holding position down low is an issue for him. That’s not going to change. I don’t see him getting a lot bigger and wider. It’s not like he’s not an older guy. He transferred in from Arizona, so he’s a red-shirt player. He’s been around awhile.

“But he can make a face-up shot. I think he’s a better shooter than he got credit for, but he’s not a low-post player. He’s not a guy you’re going to throw the ball to him in the low post and he’s going to go to work on you. He’s more a guy to defend the post, block shots. I think he’s a backup center in the league, but he’s a valuable piece, and I think he’s a late first‑round pick. He’s a good pick.”