Milwaukee Bucks: 15 best draft picks in franchise history
By Adam McGee
13. Swen Nater
A two-time NCAA champion at UCLA, Dutch big man Swen Nater is a case of what could have been for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nater was drafted by the Bucks with the 16th pick in the 1973 NBA Draft, but having been selected by the Virginia Squires of the ABA a year earlier, it wasn’t until 1976 that he finally suited up in Milwaukee colors in the NBA.
The Dutchman’s professional journey was as interesting as his eventful life and upbringing, yet when he finally landed in Milwaukee he spent just a single season with the team.
Still, Nater left no doubt over his ability, as he proved to be a steady scorer and a dominant rebounder during his time with the Bucks. He even set the franchise’s single game rebounding record with 33, in a game where he also set the NBA’s all-time record for defensive rebounds in a half (18).
Nater could have been so much more as a Buck if he had arrived sooner from the ABA, but even then his value as a draft selection in the middle of a first round should not be overlooked. After all, Nater was the central piece that secured the third overall pick used to select Marques Johnson too.