Former Cal defender Sam Junqua was selected with the eighth overall pick by the Houston Dynamo in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft held Friday.

Junqua, an All-Pac-12 honorable mention pick as a senior, was the anchor of the Bears' defense and led the team with 1,666 minutes played. He had nine shots and an assist and was the Bears' primary option on corner kicks.

"Sam being drafted eighth overall in the MLS draft culminates a great four-year career for him," Cal head coach Kevin Grimes said. "He came to Cal looking to improve his game and gave himself an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of many other Cal players drafted in the first round over the years."

Junqua becomes the seventh former Golden Bear to be drafted in the top-10 of the MLS SuperDraft and the highest since Steve Birnbaum went No. 2 and Christian Dean No. 3 in 2014.

"Sam has a great opportunity in Houston, who plays a really good brand of soccer, to continue to grow and have an excellent career as a professional," Grimes said.

Junqua and former teammate Shinya Kadono attended the MLS Draft Combine earlier this week in Florida. Kadono and recently graduated midfielder Sam Ebstein could also be drafted when Rounds 3 and 4 are held Monday.