With their first pick of the second round — No. 38 acquired in a trade Wednesday night — the Indiana Pacers selected Marquette’s Kam Jones. At their original No. 54 pick, the Pacers added Liberty guard Taelon Peter.
Peter began his college career at Tennessee Tech before playing at Arkansas Tech and eventually Liberty. He’s the first player from Liberty drafted since Cliff Webber was taken in 1985.
“Just a word on Taelon Peter who the Indiana Pacers just drafted, wasn’t in my Top 100, wasn’t invited to Portsmouth, wasn’t invited to the G League camp, wasn’t invited to the NBA combine, but hears his name called at 54,” Jonathan Givony, ESPN’s draft expert said on Thursday night’s broadcast. “Led the NCAA in true shooting percentage, 33 dunks, tremendous athlete. This is why the NBA draft is beautiful because you hear guys like Taelon Peter hearing their name in the draft also.”
Peter was named third-team All-Conference USA and the Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year. Here’s what to know about the sharpshooter, who shot 45% from behind the arc this past season for the Flames.
Taelon Peter measurables
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
Taelon Peter stats
Peter averaged 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game last season for Liberty, shooting 57.8% from the field, including 45.3% from behind the arc.
At Arkansas Tech, Peter averaged 15.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg in those three years and scored 1,321 points.
Taelon Peter highlights
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This story was updated to add a gallery.