Andre Drummond, a 6-foot-10 center, enrolled in the University of Connecticut as a walk-on during his freshman year. The athletic department confirmed that he was not receiving any institutional aid from UConn, and he had to secure a loan to pay for his tuition. Drummond and another player, Michael Bradley, started the semester without a scholarship, as the university was determining who would receive it. Bradley was initially willing to give up his scholarship, but it was not deemed possible.
Andre Drummond paid to attend UCONN because he didn’t want Jim Calhoun to strip another player’s scholarship 🤯
(Via @varsityhousepod | h/t @RTNBA )pic.twitter.com/jVo8O5m039
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 4, 2023
The situation took a couple of months to resolve, and it only came to light recently when Drummond revealed that he was a walk-on. UConn had lost scholarships due to NCAA violations and poor academic performance ratings, and they only had ten scholarships available for that season. Despite the lack of scholarship, Drummond participated in all the team activities and took classes throughout the fall semester.
After his freshman year at UConn, Drummond declared for the NBA draft and was selected as the No. 9 overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. Drummond spent eight seasons with the Pistons and has played for five other teams in his 11-year NBA career.
Drummond’s recent performances with the Chicago Bulls have not been great, but he’s been contributing to their recent wins. In the last five games, he has scored a total of 33 points and has 38 rebounds with a total of 66 minutes played.
In summary, Andre Drummond attended the University of Connecticut as a walk-on during his freshman year, securing a loan to pay for his tuition. He declared for the NBA draft after his freshman year and has had a successful career in the league, currently playing for the Chicago Bulls. His recent performances have been outstanding, helping his team secure three straight wins.
From walk-on to NBA star: how UConn paved the path for the success of Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond’s start with UConn was marked with inconsistency, but in a game against West Virginia, he showcased his potential by leading the Huskies with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks in a come-from-behind win. However, as the season progressed, Drummond failed to maintain his form, and his last game against Iowa State ended in disappointment. In just 26 minutes, he shot 1-4 from the field, grabbed three rebounds, and scored two points before fouling out of the season-ending match.
Overall, Drummond’s performance during his last season with UConn was underwhelming, averaging just over 10 points and just under eight rebounds per game for a team that failed to meet expectations. However, after the season, he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, where he became a powerful center, leading the team in rebounds and sometimes in points. Currently playing for the Chicago Bulls, Drummond’s season average is 6.0 PPG and 6.7 RPG. While the Bulls are having a decent season, they have not yet qualified for a playoff spot.
