Former Chattanooga men’s basketball standouts Kevin Goffney and Stephen McDowell were selected in the NBA Development League Draft on Thursday. Goffney was drafted by the Utah Flash in the third round, while McDowell was tabbed in the eighth round by the Bakersfield Jam.
The Flash are co-affiliated with the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks and play its games in Orem, Utah, while the Jam are tied to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers playing its games in Bakersfield, Calif.
Goffney and McDowell played the last two seasons at Chattanooga. The duo helped lead the Mocs to back-to-back Southern Conference North Division titles and played integral roles on the 2009 SoCon Tournament Championship squad and NCAA West Regional participant.
Goffney transferred from Pratt Community College in Kansas. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in earning All-SoCon Tournament honors in 2009. He led the team with 15 points in the NCAA Tournament loss to UConn in Philadelphia.
McDowell was an All-SoCon selection both years as the Mocs top scorer. He led the SoCon in three-pointers made in 2009 with 135 (3.9 threes per game) and is the Mocs’ all-time record holder in three-pointers made (243) and attempted (611) as well as the season leader with 135 made and 318 attempted in 2009.
“They are getting to live their dream,” said Mocs head coach John Shulman. “Not everyone gets that chance and I know he will make the most of it. They’re pros and we look forward to following their careers for many years to come.”
The current Mocs squad faces Tennessee Wesleyan in an exhibition game Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. in the McKenzie Arena. It an all new look for the Mocs as Goffney and four other senior starters have moved on to the professional ranks.
Chattanooga looks to “Rock the Roundhouse” on Tuesday, Nov. 17, as traditional rival East Tennessee State comes to town. The athletics department is selling all upper level tickets for $1 at the McKenzie Arena for the Buccaneers visit. Fans can purchase tickets at the McKenzie Arena Box Office at Gate One or online at GoMocs.com and print their tickets from their home computer.
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ChattanoogaMocs, or on Twitter, www.twitter.com/GoMocs.