Marquette's Markus Howard navigates path to the NBA in the middle of a pandemic

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The nation’s leading scorer spent draft day with his family, listening to 60 names. None of them were Markus Howard.

“As the time went and the hours went and went I started getting the feeling my name wasn’t going to be called.”

Markus says he actually had the chance to get drafted late in the second round, but instead chose to join the Denver Nuggets as an undrafted free agent.

“For me it was about being in a place where I know my talents will be valued and used. At the end of the day, Denver was head and shoulders ahead of all the other teams.”

The Nuggets told Marquette’s all-time leading scorer he’ll have the chance to contribute right away.

“It's a match made in heaven so I'm extremely excited and blessed for the opportunity to call myself a Denver Nugget."

“It’s still an opportunity and a blessing to say you’re an NBA player. My job is to play basketball. Not many people can say that. It’s truly a blessing to be in the position I’m in. I know there are so many people that would trade places with me in a second."  

As for the 60 names Markus heard on draft day, he says he’ll use that as motivation throughout what he hopes is a long and successful career in the NBA.