Former Gophers guard Cam Christie was drafted 46th overall to the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday evening.

Christie, 18, is the first Gopher drafted since Daniel Oturu was picked 33rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020. 

“Congrats to Cam and his family on fulfilling a lifelong dream,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “The Clippers are getting a high-character winner who will work his tail off every day to improve as a player.”

Now an NBA rookie, Christie will play in the summer league. His first game will be against the Utah Jazz.

Throughout the pre-draft process, Christie worked out with 13 teams. He said his shooting ability set him apart from the other prospects.

“I can play, really, any guard position,” Christie said after his workout with the Portland Trail Blazers. “(I’m) kind of willing to do whatever role.”

Once the Gophers season ended, Christie entered the draft process. He finished second on the team in points per game (11.3) and 3-pointers (70). The first-year guard’s performance for the Gophers earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten freshman team.