Hitting the jackpot as the number one pick over-all for the Chicago Bulls is Derrick Rose, a 6-3 guard out of Memphis. Rose averaged 14.9 ppg as a freshman last season. He was a 3rd team All-American selection by the Associated Press and NABC. He played for the USA Basketball junior selection that played in the 2007 Hoop Summit in Memphis.
The Miami Heat selected 6-10 Kansas State forward Michael Beasly with the second pick over-all. In his only season as a college player, Beasly scored 26.2 ppg in 33 outings. He was named National Freshman of the year by The Sporting News and USBWA. Beasly was also selected to the John Wooden award All-American team.
The Minnesota Timberwolves tabbed USC guard O.J. Mayo with the 3rd pick, The Seattle Supersonics had chosen guard Russel Westbrook from UCLA for the No. 4 pick and the Memphis Grizzlies went for UCLA forward Kevin Love with the No. 5 pick to complete the first 5 picks of the draft. The reigning NBA champions Boston Celtics settled with New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens with the last pick of the first round (30th pick).
Last season, the Sonics run away with a gem in swingman Kevin Durant, the 2nd pick pick over-all, who was named Rookie of the Year for 2007-08. Durant was chosen behind center Greg Oden, who was selected by the Portland Trailblazers as the top over-all pick. Oden's maiden NBA season was a big bust as he missed all of the regular season due to an injury.
Its a brand new world for these kids as they try to muscle their way in and live their longtime dream of playing in the greatest basketball show on earth, the NBA!
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