Three Former Domers Represent ND in NBA
Frank Vitovitch
November 16, 1999

Orlando, Fl. - Its a far cry from the 42 players ND has sent to the NFL, but there is also a ton less players on each team in the NBA, so having three players in the NBA isn't that bad at all.  The Orlando Magic are home to two of three - Pat Garrity and Monty Williams.

Garrity is a 6-9 forward in his second season in the NBA.   He spent his rookie season in Phoenix on the Suns, but over the summer was sent to Orlando as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Penny Hardaway - a fan favorite and personally one of my favorites - to the Suns.  As a rookie for the Suns, Garrity averaged 5.6 points a game with just under two rebounds per game.  Not a bad season considering he only saw 13.8 minutes per game.  So far this season, he has improved in every category.  He is averaging 11.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 17.8 minutes per game.  He is shooting nearly 60% from the field as well (59%) which ranks third in the NBA.  He is still a year or two away from becoming a bonafid starter, but for now he is giving the Magic valuable minutes off the bench.  On November 3 against the Pistons, Pat lead the team in scoring with 20 points.  He also lead the team in scoring on November 10 against the Sixers when he tied a career high with 25 points.

Joining Garrity in Orlando is Monty Williams.   Williams graduated from Notre Dame 94 and was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.  He went on to play for San Antonio and then with Denver last season, but was waived after appearing n only one game.  Orlando picked him up in the off season and to this point he is averaging 10.1 points per game.  He hasn't started a game for first year head coach Doc Rivers but has been averaging over 20 minutes of playing time a game.  He has been getting 4.3 boards game as well.   He is not the kind of player who will come in and take over a game, but he is a valuable asset off the bench and will be used often on the young Magic team.

The third player who went to Notre Dame that is in the NBA now is Laphonso Ellis who is currently on the Atlanta Hawks.  Of the three former Domers in the NBA, Ellis has had the best career to this point.  He has also been the most injury plagued as well.  His career high in points is 39 with a career high of 19 rebounds, both of which are much better than Garrity's and Williams' career best.   Ellis was the starting small forward for the Hawks last season, but was injured late in the season which caused him to miss the remainder of the season and the playoffs.   He is still hurt this year as well and has yet to play in a game.

In a few years there is no doubt Troy Murphy will be added to this list as the sophomore forward has got game.  He will most likely be a first round draft pick when he comes out.  With his talent, a guy like Murphy could probably come out after this season, but with the rebuilding project in full swing and the hope for the future I don't expect to see Murphy leave until he graduates.