Northwestern basketball legend Boo Buie issues 2-word reaction to ex-teammate's NBA draft selection

Sarah Barber

Northwestern basketball legend Boo Buie issues 2-word reaction to ex-teammate's NBA draft selection image

Westchester Knicks G League guard Boo Buie took to Twitter Friday afternoon to celebrate his former teammate being selected by Oklahoma City in the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday night.

Buie didn’t need 140 characters, opting for a simple message: “Well deserved.” 

 

Buie is considered the best player to come out of Northwestern and holds the program’s career points record with 2,187. He and Thunder draft pick Brooks Barnhizer overlapped on the Wildcats’ squad for three years, beginning when Barnhizer was a freshman. 

The pair led the team through two NCAA Tournament appearances, but fell in the second round to UCLA in 2023, 68-63, and to UConn in 2024, 75-58. They’ve been a large part of Northwestern’s recent success, and both are favorites of coach Chris Collins.

As Buie left the floor after losing to the Huskies, he shared an emotional moment with his coach.

“I love you. You're like family. We did it together,” Collins could be seen saying as he hugged the senior.

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Despite Buie’s impact on the Wildcats, the program hasn’t had a player drafted to the league since Evan Eschmeyer went to the New Jersey Nets in 1999. 

Oklahoma City’s selection of Barnhizer marks the end of a 26-year draft drought for the university, but Buie’s been making his own way. After signing a two-way contract with the Knicks in November 2024, Buie has spent the past year in the G League, averaging 11.1 points and 21.5 minutes while shooting at 41.3%. 

It’s unclear if the Thunder plan to keep Barnhizer around or send him to the G League for development, but he’ll face competition in Oklahoma City from current guards Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace.

Sarah Barber

Sarah Barber is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. She is wrapping up an MS in journalism with a specialization in sports media from Northwestern’s Medill School. Barber graduated from Northeastern University in 2024 with a degree in journalism and English, plus a double minor in public relations and sports, media and communication. She spent over two years as a sports correspondent for The Boston Globe and has a background in athletic video production.