LA’s draft history: Ranking every #8 overall pick

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1982: Tom Chambers #22 of the San Diego Clippers shoots a free throw against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1982 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Chambers played for the Clippers from 1981-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1982: Tom Chambers #22 of the San Diego Clippers shoots a free throw against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1982 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Chambers played for the Clippers from 1981-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
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Al-Farouq Aminu
Al-Farouq Aminu (Photo credit should read LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

5. Al Farouq-Aminu

LA Clippers stats: 5.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 39.4 fg%

The progression of Al Farouq-Aminu was nearly perfect. In year one at the University of Wake Forest, he was viewed as more so a project after averaging 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds, while shooting 17.9% from distance. In his second year in college, Aminu truly came into his own.

The now sophomore was a walking double-double, averaging 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds. His 3-point stroke, while still a bit broken, had improved, as he nailed 27.3% of his shots from distance.

The LA Clippers saw everything that they needed from the 6’9” forward and nabbed him with the eighth overall pick in 2010. Rewards were immediately reaped as Aminu dropped 20 points in just his eighth game of the season. Little did anyone know, Aminu wouldn’t crack the 20-point barrier for another six years.

His play was vagarious and his impact was tenuous. After just one season, the Clippers shipped him off to the New Orleans Pelicans. And while he would have moments every now and then over the years, Aminu was a colossal bust.