‘BEYOND GRATEFUL’

CHEYENNE -- Wyoming guard Justin James was selected No. 40 overall in the second round by the Sacramento Kings in Thursday night's NBA Draft. He was the Kings first selection of the night.

James became the 29th pick in the history of the Wyoming basketball program to be drafted.

James tested the NBA waters after his junior season but decided to return to Laramie. The Cowboys finished 8-24 overall.

James shot 40.9 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from beyond the arc. Most nights, he was the Cowboys offense, assisting on 33 percent of the team's baskets made.

The Port Saint Lucie, Florida, native is the first player since Penny Hardaway to average more than 22 points, four assists, eight rebounds and one steal. That's pretty good company.

James leaves Laramie the third leading scorer in program history with 2,061 points. Only Brandon Ewing (2,168) and Fennis Dembo (2,311) finished with more in a Cowboy uniform.

James is the first UW player to be selected in the NBA Draft since Larry Nance was picked 27th overall by the Lakers in 2015.