MIAMI, 6/24 – The Miami HEAT announced today they have selected center Dexter Pittman (32nd overall), forward Jarvis Varnado (41st overall) and forward Da’Sean Butler (42nd overall) in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft while also acquiring a protected 2011 second round draft pick.
Pittman, a 6’10”, 290-pound center, played all four seasons at the University of Texas appearing in 134 games (59 starts) and averaged 6.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 62.3 percent from the field and 60.1 percent from the foul line. He finished his senior season leading the team in both field goal percentage (.654) and blocks (63) while earning the team’s Most Improved Player honor as both a freshman and junior.
Varnado, a 6’9”, 230-pound forward, played all four seasons at Mississippi State appearing in 141 games (119 starts) and averaged 10.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.00 blocks while shooting 58.9 percent from the field and 59.5 percent from the foul line. He finished his colligate career as the all-time leading shot blocker in NCAA history with 564 blocks. Varnado was named as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons while earning All-SEC First Team honors during his junior and senior seasons.
Butler, a 6’7”, 230-pound forward, played all four seasons at West Virginia University appearing in 146 games (110 starts) and averaged 14.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.06 steals while shooting 44.8 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from three-point range and 73.3 percent from the foul line. He finished his collegiate career as the winningest player in school history having totaled 107 wins while also scoring 2,095 points, the third most in school history, behind only Jerry West and Rod Hundley. Butler also ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in double-figure scoring games (1st, 108), field goals made (3rd, 741), three-point field goals made (4th, 205), free throws made (5th, 408), rebounds (11th, 800) and steals (12th, 154).
The HEAT also acquired a future 2011 protected second round draft pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the draft rights to Latavious Williams (48th overall pick).
The Miami HEAT is proud to have Assist-Card as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2010-11 season.