The Atlanta Hawks selected Saint Joseph’s University forward DeAndre’ Bembry with the 21st overall pick in the first round and Isaia Cordinier (Ee-SIGH-uh CORE-dean-yeh) in the second round (44th overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft.
An early entry candidate, Bembry was a three-year letterman at St. Joseph’s averaging 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals (.457 FG%) in 36.1 minutes in 101 career games. As a junior, he tallied 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals (.479 FG%) in 37.3 minutes over 36 contests, while being named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and garnering All-League, All-Defensive Team and All-Tournament honors for the conference. Additionally, he was an AP Honorable Mention All-American and was selected to the NABC and USBWA All-District teams.
“DeAndre’ is a player we have watched for quite some time,” said Hawks General Manager Wes Wilcox. “He has a great deal of versatility, is a very good passer, has a high basketball IQ, and is a very good person and hard worker. We’re excited to bring him to the Hawks family.”
As a sophomore, the 6’6” Bembry recorded 17.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 38.6 minutes (tops in the nation) in 31 games, while becoming the first SJU player to win the conference’s scoring title. A First Team All-League selection, he was also chosen to the NABC and USBWA All-District teams. Named the Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Year and to the A-10 All-Rookie Team as a freshman after posting 12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 32.6 minutes in 34 outings.
Cordinier has played professionally in France, his home country, for the last four seasons. The 6’4” guard saw action in 32 games in 2015-16 with AS Denain Voltaire in the French Pro B league, averaging 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 23.4 minutes. He also played with Evreux (French Pro B) in 2014-15, Antibes (French Pro A) in 2013-14 and Antibes (French Pro B) in 2012-13. Additionally, he competed for France in the 2014 U18 European Championship. Cordinier was born Nov. 28, 1996.
“Isaia is a player we studied deeply throughout the season, he’s very athletic and plays extremely hard” said Wilcox. “He has high character and we are very pleased he was available at the 44th pick.”
Atlanta selected Oakland University’s Kay Felder in the second round (54th overall) before trading his rights to Cleveland for cash considerations. Stay tuned to HHS1987. Follow @eldorado2452 on Twitter and Instagram for all your Atlanta Hawks and sports news.
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