Thirty years ago, the NBA Draft mattered in Alabama. In the NBA drafts from 1980 through 1989, 62 players from state colleges were selected, including nine in both 1982 and 1987.
In those two drafts, four players came off one college team - from UAB in 1982 and from Alabama in 1987. In the 1981 and 1982 drafts, NBA teams combined to select seven players from South Alabama.
But in the 20 drafts since the 1980s, NBA teams have chosen 19 players from Alabama colleges.
What happened? Why did the well of talent run dry?