Jordan Bachynski slated to become first Calgarian selected in an NBA Draft

CTV Calgary: Canadians prominent in NBA Draft Ontario's Andrew Wiggins was selected first overall in the 2014 and Jordan Bachynski, if selected, would be the first Calgarian.

Thursday night’s 2014 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York has had a significant Canadian presence with seven of the top prospects hailing from north of the 49th parallel, including first overall pick Andrew Wiggins selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While Canadians have been selected in previous NBA Drafts, Jordan Bachynski could make history tonight as the first Calgarian in the history of the league to have their name called.

Bachynski, a 7’2” center who spent the last four seasons with the Arizona State University Sun Devils, is expected by basketball experts to be selected late in the second round. The 24-year-old Calgary product led the NCAA in blocks during his senior year.

According to his former coach, the graduate of Centennial High School was a force to be reckoned with during his high school playing days.

"I hate using the word potential, but we did see greatness in him,” said Ken Zelez, Bachynski’s coach at Centennial. “He was a very special player with a very special family with great genetics behind him. We were able to look at him and provide the best experience we could for him along with the rest of the players on the team."

Jordan has spent the last month working out for NBA teams in an attempt to make a lasting impression on league brass.

The 2014 NBA Draft airs on TSN.