The Denver Nuggets used the 58th pick of the draft on Thomas Welsh, the seven foot center out of UCLA. You probably don’t know much about Thomas Welsh, but lucky for you the Denver Stiffs are no strangers to Wikipedia.
Here are five things to know about the newest Nugget:
1. Thomas Welsh is the third leading rebounder in UCLA history
Welsh recorded 1,035 total rebounds in his four year career at UCLA. That places him third on the program’s all-time list, trailing only basketball legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton. I bet you didn’t know that. I definitely did not know that.
2. Welsh was named as an honorable mention on the PAC-12 all-academic team in 2017-18
You don’t play four years at UCLA and get drafted into the association without some game, but Welsh brought it on and off the hardwood during his time with the Bruins. Welsh also earned a distinction for his work in the classroom, snagging an honorable mention on the all-academic team. Nerd.
3. Welsh has a brother that plays at Harvard
Turns out nerdiness runs in the family. I’m not entirely sure if that’s a word, but I’m sure one of the Welsh’s knows.
4. Welsh won a gold medal with team USA at the U-19 FIBA basketball world cup in 2015
Welsh was one of 24 players to be invited to team USA’s training camp ahead of the 2015 U-19 FIBA basketball world cup. He ultimately made the roster and his team went on to win the entire tournament. This team was absolutely stacked by the way; Jalen Brunson, Harry Giles, Caleb Swanigan and Jayson Tatum were standing alongside Welsh when the gold medals were handed out.
5. Welsh recorded 18 double-doubles in his senior season, the most by a Bruin since Kevin Love.
Welsh had his best statistical season of his career in his fourth and final year with the Bruins. The big man averaged a double-double over the course of the season putting up 12.6 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent from deep. Welsh recorded 18 total double-doubles that year — the most in a single UCLA season since Kevin Love.
