Mustang fans will have a new team to cheer for next NBA season, as former Cal Poly men’s basketball player Kobe Sanders made history Friday night, becoming the first Mustang to be selected in the NBA draft.

Sanders was chosen by the New York Knicks with the 50th overall pick in the second round, and was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the 51st pick and the draft rights to a formerly drafted player.  

The San Diego native played for four years at Cal Poly and reached the 1,000 point mark in his final year in 2024.

He showed steady growth as a Mustang, taking his freshman average of 4.2 points per game to 19.6 points per game by the end of his fourth season. As a senior he was named an All-Big West Honorable Mention. 

He transferred to the University of Nevada for his fifth and final season in 2025. 

During his single year in Nevada, Sanders averaged 31.6 minutes and 15.8 points per game, and was rewarded with an All-Mountain West Third Team Honor in March.  

The countless hours in the gym paid off, as Sanders’ name began getting tossed around in NBA circles as he wrapped up his collegiate career.

He was one of 75 athletes invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, and worked out with at least a dozen NBA teams before the draft, according to Hoops Hype. 

At 23, Sanders was seen as an older player in the draft, but as a 6’8 playmaker at the guard position, coaches saw a potential contributor on the NBA court.

David Nwaba is the only other Cal Poly athlete who has reached the NBA. He went undrafted and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016 before playing in the league for six seasons.

As a member of the Clippers, Sanders will likely have to fight for playing time. They already have several long-term players on their roster who he shares positions with.

According to The Orange County Register, Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank wants young players to spend more time in the NBA rather than the G League, which may give Sanders a chance to prove his worth sooner rather than later.

Time will tell if Sanders’ dominance at Cal Poly will transfer to the pros. His first action as a Clipper will be in the Las Vegas Summer League starting July 10th.