33 Daniel Orton

Daniel Orton was born Daniel Joseph Orton on August 6, 1990, to Carolyn and Larry Orton in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A 6-foot-10 center at Bishop McGuinness High School, he helped the Fighting Irish win three consecutive Oklahoma Class 4A state championships before a torn ACL ended his senior season. Orton averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks as a junior and was rated a five-star prospect and one of the nation’s leading centers. Originally recruited by Billy Gillispie, he honored his Kentucky commitment after John Calipari became the Wildcats’ head coach.

Orton provided size, strength and rim protection off the bench for Calipari’s first Kentucky team in 2009–10. Playing behind DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson, he averaged 3.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in only 13.2 minutes per game. His defensive presence contributed to a 35–3 season in which Kentucky won the SEC regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.

His best scoring performance came against Rider, when he produced 14 points and six rebounds in a Kentucky victory. After one season in Lexington, Orton entered the 2010 NBA Draft and was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 29th overall pick. He later played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers, appearing in 51 NBA regular-season games, before continuing his professional career in the NBA Development League and with clubs overseas.