June 24, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - Former University of Missouri guard Rickey Paulding won't have far to travel when he reports to his new team following Thursday night's 2004 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. The talented guard was selected by the World Champion Detroit Pistons in the second round with the 54th pick. Detroit just happens to be Paulding's home town. Paulding will also join former Missouri Associate Head Coach and current Pistons' Vice President of Basketball Operations John Hammond in the ranks of the Mizzou basketball family who have reached the NBA.
"Detroit is a great team and organization and I want to contribute in any way I can," Paulding said from his home in Detroit. "It has always been a dream to play in my home town with the Pistons and be apart of their great tradition. It's a really good opportunity and I am looking forward to proving myself in the coming months."
Paulding is the third player to be drafted to the NBA during head coach Quin Snyder's five-year tenure at Mizzou. Keyon Dooling was the 10th pick in the 2000 draft by the Orlando Magic (who then traded Dooling to the Los Angeles Clippers the same night) and Kareem Rush was the 20th pick in the 2002 draft by the Toronto Raptors (who then traded Rush to the Los Angeles Lakers on the night of the draft).
"We are very excited for Rickey and I think he has a good chance to be successful in Detroit," Missouri Head Coach Quin Snyder said. "He's entering a great situation and he will be around a lot of familiar faces in his home town. Rickey needs to attack this chance to play at the next level with the same competitive fire he has shown during his time at Mizzou."
Paulding wrapped up a tremendous career at Mizzou with a crowning achievement in May as he received his degree. He finished his basketball career as the eighth leading scorer in Mizzou history (1,673 points) and finished fifth in three point field goals made with 187. Paulding seemed to especially love NCAA Tournament time, as he finished his career as Mizzou's all-time leader in points scored in the tourney with 145 (18.1 per game) in eight games played. The two-time second team All-Big 12 selection was one of six players from Big 12 Conference schools taken in the draft.
Paulding Points of Interest
o Two-Time All-Big 12 Second Team-Associated Press
o Two-Time All-Big 12 Second Team-Coaches
o Finalist for CLASS Award (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School).
o Finished his career in eighth on the Mizzou scoring charts with 1,673 points.
o Finished his career in fifth on the three-point-field-goals made chart with 187 career threes.
o Finished his career as Mizzou's all-time leader in points scored during the NCAA Tournament with 145 points in eight games played (18.1 points per game).
o Graduated from Mizzou in May.
Missouri Players in the NBA Draft during the Quin Snyder Era
2000 Keyon Dooling 1st Round Orlando Magic (then traded to Los Angeles Clippers)
2002 Kareem Rush 1st Round Toronto Raptors (then traded to Los Angeles Lakers)
2004 Rickey Paulding 2nd Round Detroit Pistons
