DRAFT TRADE: Traded to Milwaukee Bucks along with Jrue Holiday in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, three future first-round picks, and two additional Draft pick swaps.
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About Sam Merrill
Career Highlights
- 2019-20 USBWA District VIII Player of the Year.
- 2018-19 Mountain West Player of the Year.
- Two-time All-Mountain West First Team selection (2018-19, 2019-20).
- Two-time Mountain West Tournament MVP (2019, 2020).
- Earned 2018-19 AP Honorable Mention honors.
- All-District pick by the USBWA and NABC as a junior and senior.
Senior (2019-20)
- Ranked second in the Mountain West with 19.7 points to go with 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
- Shot 46.1 percent from the field, 41.0 percent from three-point range (23rd in the nation) and 89.3 percent from the free throw line (11th in the nation).
- Tied for 26th in the nation in free throws made (150) and tied for 32nd in three-pointers made (89).
- Scored 27 points and made the game-winning shot in the MW Tournament title game vs. San Diego State (March 7).
- Had a season-high 32 points at Colorado State (Feb. 11).
Strengths
- Prolific shooter with deep range.
- Has the ability to shoot on the move.
- Creative with the ball in his hands.
- Outstanding free throw shooter.
Personal
- Named 2019-20 Senior CLASS Award First Team All-American and CoSIDA Second Team Academic All American.
- Served a two-year LDS Church mission in Nicaragua from 2014-16.
- Married Kanyan Ward, who played soccer at Utah State, in 2018.
Quotable
“He is the most unselfish star that I’ve ever coached in [24] years. He gives our guys so much confidence. Everyone talks about how good he is on offense, but he is just as good of a defensive player. He does it all. He is so intelligent. Our guys love him to death.”
- Utah State coach Craig Smith