When Terrance Ferguson’s name was called on draft night 2017, he didn’t think of it as historic. Ferguson was just happy.
"It's been a long journey, many sacrifices," Ferguson said when introduced as the Thunder’s No. 21 overall selection that summer after playing a season for the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League. "Australia was a great experience for me, but I’ve moved forward for now."
RJ Hampton, a projected Top 10 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is bypassing college to play for the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL. Hampton’s decision was made easier by Ferguson and other young Americans who chose overseas basketball over the NCAA.