The 2010 NBA Draft took place on Thursday night (June 24) in New York, and it went down in the record books.
With the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Washington Wizards selected Kentucky Wildcats point guard John Wall. Following him was a record number of his Kentucky teammates.
In all, five Kentucky players were drafted in the first round of the Draft — the first time it’s happened in NBA history.
Wall is the SEC player of the year, and the first Kentucky player to be chosen first overall. However, his team fell short of the Final Four, despite all the talent around him.
As a Wizard, he hopes he can help them bounce back after the team endured embarrassment when star Gilbert Arenas was suspended for the rest of the season for bringing guns into the locker room.
“I feel like I had pressure since I became No. 1 in high school and was one of the top players,” Wall said. “I always got there hungry wanting to fight hard and compete in every game, so when I step on the court I’m going to take on any challenge there.”
It’s unclear what his role will be with the Wizards. Will he replace Arenas? Or play alongside him? Making an exciting Wizards backcourt.
While Arenas is eligible to return, Wall said he isn’t opposed to taking the reigns if he doesn’t.
“I was always a leader by example being the first in the gym and the last in the gym,” Wall said. “But I’m a leader that doesn’t mind speaking up to the older guys.”
With the No. 2 pick, the Philadelphia 76ers took national player of the year Evan Turner from Ohio State; while the New Jersey Nets picked up Georgia Tech freshman Derrick Favors with the third choice.
The Minnesota Timberwolves followed by draftig Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson with the fourth overall pick.
Wall’s Kentucky teammate DeMarcus Cousins was taken by Sacramento at No. 5; Baylor’s Ekpe Udoh was picked by Golden State with No. 6; Detroit selected Georgetown center Greg Monroe with the seventh pick; and the Los Angeles Clippers went for Wake Forest’s Al-Farouq Aminu.
Butler’s Gordon Hayward went ninth to Utah; while the Indiana Pacers chose Fresno State forward Paul George with the 10th pick overall.
For a full recap and rundown of the 2010 NBA Draft, head over to NBA.com/Draft2010.
Source:Coast to Coast Ballers.Com
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Tags: #1, draftpick, five, john, kentucky, nba, players, record, select, selected
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