Cavs pick Darius Garland fifth in 2019 NBA Draft

For the second year in a row, the Cavs have picked a guard in the lottery.

With the No. 5 pick in the 2019 draft, the Cavs selected guard Darius Garland from Vanderbilt. Garland, considered the second-best guard in the class behind No. 2 pick Ja Morant, stands 6’2” and weighs in at 175 pounds. He was one of the prospects the Cavs worked out ahead of the draft.

Garland only played in five games at Vanderbilt due to a meniscus tear. In high school, he was widely considered to be a strong jump shooter and off the dribble threat — two skills that should help him in new Cavs coach John Beilein’s offense.

In his five games at Vanderbilt, he averaged 16.2 points and 2.8 assists per game. In high school at Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, he averaged 28.6 points and shot 59.7 percent as as senior. He also won four state championships and won three consecutive Mr. Basketball awards.

Garland’s Dad, Winston, played seven seasons in the NBA. He is represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports — an agency the Cavs have some familiarity with via LeBron James and Tristan Thompson.

In his ESPN interview after being picked, he said “I’m ready to get to Cleveland.”