A byproduct of the success during the Billy Donovan era at Florida has been his ability to advance players to the NBA.
No doubt, it’s a selling point in recruiting as well. With Nick Calathes (Memphis Grizzles) and Erik Murphy (Chicago Bulls) making opening day rosters, there are currently 12 former Gators in the NBA. Of those 12, three will make salaries of $10 million or more this season, while six will make salaries of $4 million or more.
That doesn’t include perhaps the biggest bargain in the NBA, former Gator standout Chandler Parsons, who will be making $926,500 in his third season with the Houston Rockets. Expect a big payday for Parsons to come soon based on the success of his first two NBA seasons.
Florida’s 12 players in NBA rosters are tied for fifth most by a college program (with UConn and UCLA). The top four are Kentucky (22), Duke (15), North Carolina (15) and Kansas (14).
Here’s a breakdown of Florida’s 12 players, in descending order by salary:
David Lee, F, Golden State — $13,878,000
Al Horford, F-C, Atlanta Hawks — $12,000,000
Joakim Noah, C, Chicago – $11,100,000
Corey Brewer, F, Minnesota Timberwolves — $5,000,000
Udonis Haslem, F, Miami Heat — $4,340,000
Bradley Beal, G, Washington Wizards — 4,319,280
Matt Bonner, F, San Antonio Spurs — $3,945,000
Marreese Speights C, Golden State — $3,500,000
Chandler Parsons, F, Houston — $926,500
Mike Miller, F, Memphis Grizzlies — $884,293
Nick Calathes, G, Memphis Grizzlies — $490,180
Erik Murphy, F, Chicago Bulls — $490,180
