Q1: Ryan Leaf, who was drafted ahead of both Charles Woodson and Randy Moss in the 1998 NFL draft, is widely considered to be the largest draft bust of all time – in any
sport. The San Diego Chargers traded three picks and two players to get their hands on the No. 2 in a draft in which Leaf
and fellow QB Peyton Manning were regarded as the two best players available, but Leaf, whom the Chargers took after the Colts took Manning, finished his career with 14 touchdowns against 36 interceptions and a 50.0 quarterback rating in six seasons. While many remember the draft and Leaf’s name is synonymous with failure in some circles, it’s not as widely remembered where Leaf gained his reputation as a great prospect. For which Pac-10 school did Ryan Leaf play over his three-year college career?
A1: Washington State. In his final season, Leaf led the Cougars to their first Pac-10 championship, falling 21-16 to eventual
national champion Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
Q2: Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks took home the Red Auerbach Trophy as the NBA coach of the year Wednesday, mostly for
mustering a 27-game turnaround from the Thunder’s 23-59 record in 2008-09. Part of the Thunder’s turnaround can be credited to the addition of Thabo Sefolosha, a 25-year-old shooting guard who, in 2006, became the first player from what country to be drafted into the NBA?
A2: Switzerland. Though Sefolosha’s father is South African, he was born in Vevey, Switzerland to a Swiss mother, so everything
about him is Swiss except his name. Getting his start in the Swiss Ligue National de Basket, Sefolosha played in France for
three years before being drafted 16th overall by the Chicago
Bulls.