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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

LaGrange College got a draft-night shout-out.

On Friday during the second round of the NFL draft, the New England Patriots selected Kyle Dugger of Lenoir-Rhyne with the 37th overall pick.

While discussing the pick, the ESPN broadcaster touched on all of the successful athletes in the Dugger family, and that included a brother of Kyle’s who played basketball at LaGrange College.

Patrick Dugger was a two-year member of the LaGrange College basketball program, and he was a two-time all-conference player who led the team to a conference championship as a senior.

Patrick Dugger, who attended Whitewater High in Fayetteville, began his college career at Faulkner University before transferring to LaGrange College for the 2012-2013 season.

Dugger enjoyed a successful debut season at LaGrange College while averaging 12.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

During one memorable game that season, Dugger scored 22 points and pulled down a school-record 20 rebounds during a game against Greenboro.

Dugger had an exceptional senior season, averaging 16.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and he was named the team’s MVP for the second straight year.

LaGrange College won its first USA South tournament championship in 2014, and Dugger scored 17 points in a 94-84 win over Huntingdon in the championship game.

In the semifinals of the conference tournament, Dugger had 24 points and 11 rebounds in a wild 116-102 win over Greensboro.

Dugger’s best game that season came on senior night when he scored 31 points on 14-of-19 shooting in a 94-88 victory over Maryville.

After graduating from LaGrange College, Dugger played professional basketball in El Salvador where he was able to put his Spanish degree to good use.

Dugger arrived at LaGrange College one season after Kendal Wallace became the head coach.

With Dugger’s help, the Panthers won their first conference championship in nearly 30 years, and they went on to win three USA South titles in four years under Wallace.

Kyle Dugger was a defensive back for Lenoir-Rhyne, and he was the first player the Patriots drafted this year.