Indiana Pacers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history
8. Al Harrington (PF) – No. 25 pick in 1998 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Pacers): 390 GP, 10.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 1.8 TOV, 45.1 FG%, 33.8 3P%, 73.3 FT%
Al Harrington was the first high school player ever drafted by Indiana, and the team received a nice return by taking a gamble on the 18-year-old from New Jersey back in 1998.
Upon being drafted, Harrington joined a veteran-laden Pacers team, so he was brought along slowly by his first NBA coach, Larry Bird. Harrington made steady progress and became a key player for Indiana during his time there.
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“Baby Al” made his name in the NBA primarily as a scorer. He had a variety of moves around the basket and became a much better three-point shooter after spending a few years in the league.
Al Harrington had a successful seven seasons with the Pacers, but he blossomed even further after he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Stephen Jackson in 2004.
Harrington entered the NBA as a very young and very raw prospect, found his niche, and ended up having a career in the NBA that lasted for 16 years.
Some players make it in the NBA because they can contribute in a variety of ways, and some specialize in one area and become good enough at that single skill to remain in the league for a long time.
Al Harrington wasn’t a great rebounder, passer or defender, but he could flat-out score — and that led to a terrific career for a guy who was drafted near the end of the first round.