A look back: Arizona Wildcats drafted by the NBA in the last five years

On the eve of what I personally call the greatest holiday of the year, we already know most everything about Derrick Williams and the 2011 NBA Draft. I think it's safe to say he hasn't hurt his stock through the NBA Draft Combine, nor interviews, nor team workouts. That said, I'm assuming he's not going to drop past the second pick owned by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

I wouldn't be surprised if he got drafted No. 1 over Kyrie Irving, either. But we simply don't know what could happen. The T'Wolves are shopping the No. 2 pick like mad. First it was to Cleveland Cavaliers, then most recently, it was to the Phoenix Suns, who apparently had discussions of trading Steve Nash.

OK, let's just see what happens, shall we? In the meantime, let's reminisce about past Wildcats in the NBA Draft. Williams will likely be the highest pick since Mike Bibby was taken No. 2 by the Memphis Grizzlies in 1998. Here's a brief evaluation of how the players taken have fared.

Jordan Hill:

Taken No. 8 overall by the New York Knicks in 2009, Hill was traded to the Houston Rockets and had a media rift with Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni in the process. He's had mild success in Houston, but hasn't been consistent enough to warrant more playing time.

Chase Budinger:

Some called him a bust after leaving his junior year. He was selected in the second round, the 14th pick there, by the Houston Pistons and traded on draft night to the Rockets. He played heady basketball and developed into a solid contributor, enough to make it easier for the Rockets to ship small forward Shane Battier off this past season.

Jerryd Bayless:

Selected in the lottery by the Indian Pacers in 2008, he was traded immediately to the Portland Trailblazers. That didn't go so well, but Bayless was traded to Toronto this past season and showed signs of finally breaking through.

Marcus Williams:

The third pick in the second round of 2007, Marcus Williams saw limited playing time with the San Antonio Spurs and their D-league affiliates. After that, uhhhh ....

Hassan Adams:

Taken toward the end of the second round in 2006, Adams fell out of the league and was most recently working out for Israeli squad Maccabi Haifa.

UA picks from the last decade: