ANDERSON, SC – Anderson University's own 2024 men's basketball graduate Garrett Denbow has been drafted to the San Diego Clippers in the first-round selection of the 2024 NBA G-League Draft.
"It means a lot. I definitely do not take it lightly," Denbow said. "This has always been a dream of mine, so it has been pretty cool to see my hard work, sacrifice, and discipline pay off."
"We are so proud of Garrett!" Anderson men's basketball head coach Jimmie Williams said. "He is living proof that hard work pays off. G came to us so determined to be his best. Guys like him always want to know the truth, even if it's hard to hear. You can accomplish so much with that type of toughness and confidence."
Denbow is the first Anderson men's basketball alumnus to be drafted to the NBA at any level and the third to go on to play professionally in any league.
Marko Zoric ('03) was the first Anderson men's basketball player to go pro, signing to Argentinian team Quilmes in 2003.
Trey Britton ('11) is the other alumnus to play professionally, competing for Aanekosken Huima of Finland and the Gunma Crane Thunders of Japan's BJ League.
Denbow graduated from Anderson in May of 2024 with a degree in Marketing. He suited up for the Trojans for his final two seasons and nearly broke 1,000 points in that short time, with a total of 975. He put up 413 his junior season, the sixth most in the South Atlantic Conference, and 562 his senior season, the fourth most in the SAC.
Denbow shot .471 from the field and .423 from behind the arc. He was .877 from the free-throw line. He rounded out his statline with 188 rebounds, 58 assists, 41 steals and ten blocks while at Anderson.
He came to Anderson from Division II West Liberty University where he put up 177 points and 40 rebounds. He shot .451 from the field and .443 from deep in 32 games.
Prior to West Liberty, Denbow opened his collegiate career at the University of Charleston where he came up with 54 points in 12 games, shooting .471 from the field and .435 from deep. He added ten rebounds and five assists.
"Two things specifically about Garrett, he is the most disciplined player I've ever been around, and he is the best shooter I've ever seen, and I think those two go hand in hand," Williams said. "He's the only player I've ever coached that's never gone through a shooting slump longer than a day. These past two years he's become a complete guard that can beat you in so many ways, and it's all credit to the work he has put in."
Denbow feels his time at Anderson prepared him immensely on and off the court to play professionally.
"Coach Williams took a chance on me and gave me an incredible opportunity," Denbow said. "He was great for me in many areas, as were the other coaches. Coach Johnson was big on recruiting me, and Coach Parker was huge in my skill development, so it's important to not leave them out. I also played alongside not just great basketball players, but great people. Being surrounded by an incredible community had an immense impact on me."
Denbow credits his success to God, his family and all the teammates and coaches along the way who have supported him.
"I am forever a Trojan, and am incredibly thankful for my time spent at Anderson!" Denbow said.
"Garrett will forever be celebrated at Anderson, and we will be watching his pro career flourish with so much pride and excitement," Williams said. "We are so thankful God let us be a part of Garrett Denbow's journey. Go Clippers!"
The San Diego Clippers were founded in 2017 as an affiliate of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. They have an all-time regular season record of 130-128 and are coming off a 15-19 2023-24 season. The Clippers open their 2024-25 campaign on Friday, Nov. 8th against the Rip City Remix.
