CLEVELAND - Darius Garland was picked No. 5 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6'2" guard is the second-highest draft pick in Vanderbilt history. Garland’s freshman season ended during the fifth game, suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee. In four full games with the Commodores, Garland averaged 16.2 points on 53.7 percent shooting from the field and 47.8 percent from 3-point range to go with 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. This is the second time since 2011 the Cavs gambled on a star point guard with a college career cut short because of injury. They also snagged Kyrie Irving at No. 1.
In his ESPN interview after being picked, he said “I’m ready to get to Cleveland.”