Nolan shoots a jumper during the team’s game against New York University (Photo by Clara Richards | Student Life)

“The Santa Cruz Warriors drafted ‘Division 3 Curry’,” read the headline of a social media post from G League TV.

The ‘Division 3 Curry’ has a name: Jack Nolan. And on Saturday, October 22, Nolan was drafted to the Golden State’s G League.  He’s now Washington University’s second player drafted in  history. 

“Jack was a very unique talent, and we’re seeing that talent being recognized now in the professional ranks, which is fantastic,” head coach Pat Juckem said. “He is so thrilled and excited —  and we are all rooting for him just to have this opportunity.”  

Nolan committed to WashU as a Division 3 legacy. His uncle, Gene Nolan, had a storied career for the Bears from 1992 to 1996, in the record book for the most career three-pointers. The two of them would have played under the same coach, former head coach Mark Edwards.

 In an interview freshman year, Jack said he wasn’t focused on his uncle’s record. “We’ll see what happens down the road, but I’m just a freshman,” he said nonchalantly. “I’m not worried about records or anything, just wins and losses.” He finished his career third on the all-time three-point free throw list, just eight FTs behind his uncle. He did, however, claim the highest free throw percentage record from his uncle, shooting .915 from the line.

Nolan played four seasons of basketball for the Bears in a career that defined the record books. He was the team’s top scorer for three out of his four years. If there was a conference awards or honors list, he was on it. After the season was canceled due to COVID-19, Nolan graduated in December 2020 and entered the Division I transfer portal to use his last year of eligibility. But after exploring other options, an academic merit scholarship allowed him to do what he wanted all along: return to WashU for his masters degree and play a fifth year at WashU.

“I’ve finally been given the chance to play at the highest level of college basketball, and I’m saying no,” he posted in a statement on his social media platforms in the spring of 2021. “But that’s what you do to spend another year with teammates and friends you love, on a court that means so much to you.” 

He then proceeded to have a completely dominant last season despite battling back from a foot injury, averaging 21.3 points per game. He was known for his deadly aim from outside the three-point line, shooting 73 threes during his last season at WashU. While he refuted the Stephen Curry comparison, the similarities stand: the two averaged the same three-point percentage during their collegiate seasons. 

“He’s a self-made, 6’1, not overly-athletic guy, but he worked really, really hard at his game and his skill,” Juckem said. “He turned himself into one of the best players ever, in our program’s history. One of the best players in Division Three, and someone who now has the opportunity to maybe play basketball even beyond [college].”

The WashU Bears have had a few basketball players involved in the game at a professional level.   DeVaughn Rucker  was undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft but went on to play on the second team for the Bristol Flyers in the United Kingdom.  David Fatoki, who played for WashU from 2011 to 2015, competed during one season on a junior-league team in Spain and is now the General Manager of the Santa Cruz Warrior.  

Nolan also joins a group of ambitious former Bears to find success in professional sports in the past two years, a list that includes soccer player Sergio Rivas and baseball’s Caleb Durbin and Ryan Loutos.

And even a career-defining moment  Nolan isn’t someone who will talk about himself.  “I wouldn’t say it took me by surprise, but Jack’s pretty private — that’s just how he moves in life,” teammate Jabari Chiphe said. “He went to the invite only workout and next thing I know, I’m hearing he’s in the Draft. It’s just so sick. I can’t wait to follow — it’s gonna be great stuff.”