NBA Draft: Pro Sports Daily

November 27

Yahoo! Sports

"The NBA and Players Association are discussing the formation of a committee to study the age minimum for the league's draft with the possibility that no immediate changes to the "one-and-done" rule will come in the finalization of the new collective bargaining agreement, a league official told Yahoo! Sports. "Only the agreement to have the committee may be part of the new CBA," the source said. "I doubt it will have any affect on the 2012 draft." This could mean the current class of star college freshmen, including potential No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis of Kentucky, will have the opportunity to enter the 2012 draft. The draft's age rule is considered one of several "B-list" issues that"

Jared Sullinger is getting in "top overall pick" shape

July 10

Pro Basketball Talk

"Jared Sullinger would have had a great shot at being No.1 in this year's draft had he departed Ohio State early. Instead, he elected to return to OSU, turning down the millions and opting to enter the league after the lockout, and also after the new CBA is agreed upon which will likely lower his rookie scale contract. Sullinger says that it's all about wanting to "be a kid" and experience college. Forgive us if we're skeptical, perhaps Sullinger really is the exception to the rule. But it's hard to imagine the financial realities of the lockout didn't influence his decision. Then again, it still would have been more profitable for him to come out early, so maybe the kid's being honest."

Tristan Thompson makes his 'surprising' pick in 2011 NBA Draft an easy one for Cleveland Cavaliers

July 3

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Maybe you were one of the Cavaliers fans who did a double-take when Tristan Thompson's name was called as the fourth selection in the NBA Draft. Maybe you were expecting something different; a player who doesn't roam the paint like a handful of other big men on the rebuilding franchise, or a foreign player who has more experience and more intrigue. Maybe you were like Samardo Samuels, the Cavaliers forward who played one year in high school with Thompson, and scowled his skepticism the first time the scrawny boy showed up at practice. "Canada?" Samuels recalls saying, questioning Thompson's homeland. And then he demanded, "Who are these little kids?" of the two Toronto natives who joined"

Scout calls Harrison Barnes easy No. 1 pick in 2012

June 29

SportingNews.com

"Harrison Barnes made the right decision to forgo this year's NBA Draft and go back to North Carolina for his sophomore year, at least according to one scout who attended the Elite Skills Camp in Chicago this week "Top pick in the next draft -- by far," the scout said of Barnes after watching the Tar Heel small forward battle Kevin Durant on the court Monday night, according to a tweet by Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski."

More star power in 2012 NBA draft

June 26

Charlotte Observer

"Here are storylines that will likely accompany the 2012 NBA draft: It should be better and deeper than this year's and potentially include a distinct ACC flavor. "There will be more star power, more talent at the top, with the spotlight on American college kids," said ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas, a Charlotte resident and former Duke player. "Especially with the incoming freshman class. But there are also several high-level players who decided to stay in school, like (North Carolina's) Harrison Barnes." The 2012 draft could resemble 2005, which featured ACC players at the top (North Carolina's Marvin Williams, Sean May, Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants; Wake Forest's Chris Paul and"

Knicks draft Iman Shumpert with 17th pick

June 24

Bergen Record

"The Knicks and defense, perfect together, and yes, even with Mike D'Antoni still in charge on the basketball court as head coach. That was the philosophy Donnie Walsh was determined to bring into Thursday's NBA Draft, leaving one final impression on the team he rebuilt along the way. And because of that, Iman Shumpert became a Knick, the soon-to-be 21-year-old from Georgia Tech capable of locking down opponents added to an offensive-minded roster. By taking Shumpert, though, the Knicks passed on Florida State's Chris Singleton, whom many experts considered the best defensive player in the Class of 2011. Singleton was chosen by the Wizards one pick later. The Knicks were able to add some"

Lakers happy to land Morris at No. 41

June 24

Orange County Register

"The Lakers waited for more than three hours Thursday toa player in the NBA draft, but felt the wait was worth it when they found Darius Morris of Michigan still available at No. 41 in the second round. Morris, a 6-foot-5 guard, had been projected to go in the first round after two solid seasons at Michigan, so Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak was surprised to see his name still on the board. "Darius is a very gifted with the ball in his hands," Kupchak said. "He looks to pass first." Morris, who played high school basketball at Windward of Los Angeles, is considered to have solid passing skills and possesses a powerful first step despite not having great foot speed. He can create"

Miami Heat trades up, drafts Cleveland State guard Norris Cole 28th overall

June 24

Palm Beach Post

"Norris Cole already has had a Miami moment, even if it only had a few thousand witnesses. That moment came in 2009, in AmericanAirlines Arena, in front of one of the sparse crowds that marked the first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games contested there over two March days. Then, Cole was a sophomore guard for heavy underdog Cleveland State, scoring 22 points to help upset a highly touted Wake Forest team featuring two future NBA first-rounders, Jeff Teague and Al-Farouq Aminu. Now, Cole is a first-rounder himself, after the Heat traded up to the 28th spot to take him Thursday night in the NBA Draft. The draft spot originally belonged to Miami, and it was included in the sign-and-trade"

Spurs trade Hill, acquire pair of first-rounders

June 24

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The San Antonio Spurs knew they needed changes, and they used the NBA draft to start making some.

The Spurs kicked off an unusually busy draft for coach Gregg Popovich by trading backup point guard George Hill to the Indiana Pacers for their first-round pick, 6-foot-7 forward Kawhi Leonard of San Diego State. San Antonio then picked Texas guard Cory Joseph at No. 29 overall.

Although Hill has always played behind Tony Parker during his three NBA seasons, Popovich has long lauded Hill as his "favorite player" and predicted he would eventually transition from a role player into a star for the Spurs.

But San Antonio's outlook changed after a 61-win season came to a crashing halt in the"

Thompson, Longhorns come up big in first round

June 24

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"As expected, the Big 12 had a solid showing in the NBA Draft on Thursday night. Six players were selected in the first round, headlined by University of Texas forward Tristan Thompson going fourth overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last year, the Big 12 had seven players drafted in the first round. But the story of the night regarding the Big 12 was Texas and its school-record three players selected in the first round. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound Thompson wasn't expected to go as high as he did, but certainly projects to be an inside threat in the NBA. In 36 games, including 34 starts, with the Longhorns last season, he led the team in rebounding (7.8 per game), blocks (86) and double doubles"

Mavericks trade picks for veteran Rudy Fernandez

June 24

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Feeling the need to add pieces that could help them repeat as NBA champions, the Dallas Mavericks aggressively traded their two draft picks on Thursday so they could receive some immediate help.

In a three-team trade, the Mavs traded Texas small forward Jordan Hamilton, and Qatar power forward Tanguy Ngombo to Portland for Trail Blazers small forward Rudy Fernandez and point guard Petteri Koponen. The Blazers then got Denver Nuggets point guard Raymond Felton, while the Nuggets received Portland point guard Andre Miller and a second-round pick from the Blazers.

The Mavs announced that the three-team trade won't be official until today, because it involves so many twists that mustbe"

Mavs send picks to Blazers for Fernandez, Koponen

June 24

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The world champion Dallas Mavericks traded away their two picks in Thursday's NBA Draft.

The Mavs sent the No. 26 and 57 picks to the Portland Trial Blazers for 6-foot-6 small forward Rudy Fernandez and 6-4 1/2 Finnish point guard Petteri Koponen. Mavs general manager Donnie Nelson said the deal cannot officially be announced until after the Mavs make the 57th pick - for Portland - later tonight.

"I can confirm that we have traded our pick,'' Nelson said. "Beyond that I can't get into details because the trade is still pending. Stay tuned.

"We'll know after wethe 57th, so hang in there. We've traded both of our picks."

While playing mostly off the bench, Fernandez averaged 8.6"

Utah Jazz select a Turk and Burks

June 24

The Deseret News

columnist Brad Rock

"No Jimmer. But the Jazz did get an Undertaker. The most anticipated draft in Jazz history ended early Thursday in a mixture of cheers and boos at the team's selection party at EnergySolutions Arena. But unlike the years when fans booed Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor for his picks, this time it was more complicated. The commotion came even before the Jazz made their second pick of the night. When Sacramento acquired BYU's Jimmer Fredette at No. 10, you could see the dollars — all those replica jerseys — flying west. Two picks later the Jazz took Alec Burks from Colorado. Before that, the Jazz had selected 6-foot-11 inch center Enes Kanter from Turkey at No. 3. Yes, they already have"

Utah Jazz select Alec Burks with 12th pick

June 24

The Deseret News

"No point guard. No trades. No problem. After months of rumors and projections and speculation over what the Jazz might do with their second lottery pick, Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor walked to the podium at EnergySolutions Arena and announced that former Colorado standout Alec Burks would be coming to Salt Lake City. And though the people's choice — former BYU star Jimmer Fredette — would already be taken with the No. 10 pick, the Jazz organization and fans seemed content to welcome the athletic two-guard at No. 12. "We like his versatility," O'Connor said. "I think the key was that we were very comfortable with him. We had a lot of offers to trade and do that kind of stuff. But I"

Memphis Grizzlies resist trade temptations, pick Jayhawks guard Josh Selby

June 24

Memphis Commercial Appeal

"There were at least three serious conversations regarding O.J. Mayo. Another team showed great interest in Darrell Arthur. "But we made a decision to stand pat. We like our team. We just want to add to what we have." If the Grizzlies got lucky with the 49th overall pick in the second round then they will have fulfilled a couple of needs. Memphis, which also rejected offers to buy the pick, selected combo guard Josh Selby out of Kansas in hopes that he will improve their depth at point guard and perimeter shooting. The 6-3 gunner is a described as a good shooter and explosive athlete. Griz general manager Chris Wallace believes that Selby is a much better player than his disappointing"

Florida's Chandler Parsons drafted by Houston Rockets at No. 38

June 24

Orlando Sentinel

"Florida forward Chandler Parsons fell out of the first round of the NBA Draft on Thursday night, but he'll have the chance to prove his talents with Houston. The Rockets drafted Parsons, this year's SEC Player of the Year, with the 38th overall pick. Three other teams in the second round passed on Parsons and drafted another small forward, including the Heat. Miami selected Bojan Bogdanovic from Bosnia with the first pick of the second round - although the Heat traded him. Duke's Kyle Singler went to Detroit at No. 33 and and UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt went at No. 35 to Sacramento. The 6-foot-10, 221-pound Parsons averaged 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season while shooting 48"

Orlando Magic get Justin Harper in trade with Cavs, draft Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins at No. 53

June 24

Orlando Sentinel

"Orlando Magic fans wanted the franchise to make a major splash during Thursday night's 2011 NBA draft. Even superstar Dwight Howard hoped something would be done to upgrade the roster. Acquiring a pair of second-round selections, University of Richmond forward Justin Harper and Kentucky shooting guard DeAndre Liggins, will have to do. For now, anyway. "We look at any ways to make our team better, that goes without saying," Magic General Manager Otis Smith said. "But this team doesn't need to be imploded. It needs to be tweaked. It needs guys to have better years. Chemistry needs to be built. We need a training camp. There's a lot of things that we need." And, now, the Magic hope Harper and"

Hornets sell 45th pick of NBA Draft to Knicks; Dell Demps says cash will be used to improve team

June 24

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"The New Orleans Hornets decided to sell their pick to the New York Knicks and chose Josh Harrellson, senior center from Kentucky for New York. The Hornets will receive cash considerations from the Knicks for the transaction, reportedly about $1 million, according to league sources. "We had a number of guys ont he board we thought could help us when those guys weren't available anymore, we decided to trade the pick," General Manager Dell Demps said. "In the second round, there were a number of guys we targeted and when we could not get those guys, we decided to trade the pick. We do have roster spots available, but we didn't want to pick someone just to be picking. We had a group of guys we"

New Orleans Hornets trade pick to Knicks for $1 million

June 24

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Unable to land a player that could help them immediately, the New Orleans Hornets sold the draft rights of Kentucky center Josh Harrellson to the New York Knicks in Thursday night's NBA draft. The Hornets had the 45th pick in the second round. It was the first time they did not have a first-round selection since 2002. In exchange for Harrellson's draft rights, the Hornets received about $1 million from the Knicks, according to a league source. "We didn't want to pick someone just to be picking,'' Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. "The money that we did acquire will be used to make the team better.'' Demps tried to pursue a trade to move up into the first round, but couldn't"

Charlotte Bobcats send top scorer Jackson to Bucks; draft Biyombo, Walker

June 24

Charlotte Observer

"In one of the biggest trades in Charlotte Bobcats history - and that covers a lot of ground - the team has dealt away captain Stephen Jackson in a three-way transaction that acquired the No.7 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft. Armed with the seventh and ninth selections, the Bobcats chose shotblocker/rebounder Bismack Biyombo of the Congo and Connecticut point guard Kemba Walker. With this move the Bobcats continue to dismantle the team that reached the playoffs in the spring of 2010. Jackson, Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler have all departed over the last 12 months. In their place is a team that will be young, will probably lose a lot next season, but is more in line"

Warriors pick a 2-guard: Klay Thompson

June 24

San Francisco Chronicle

"If the Warriors really want to stop the rumor mill from churning out possible trade destinations for guard Monta Ellis, they didn't do themselves any favors Thursday. With the 11th overall selection in the draft, Golden State picked Klay Thompson, a 6-foot-7 scorer from Washington State who just happens to play the same position as Ellis. "This, in no way affects the motivation to trade any player," general manager Larry Riley said. Ellis' representatives and the Warriors' front office have explored a number of trade possibilities this offseason, but the team has maintained that it is not "shopping Ellis." Riley added this week that he didn't think Ellis would be moved at any point this"

Thunder selects Boston College guard Reggie Jackson with No. 24 pick

June 24

The Oklahoman

"This is what the NBA Draft becomes when you're no longer in the lottery. Home runs are replaced by singles and bunts. Slam dunks are replaced by chest passes and charges. With the 24th overall pick Thursday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder came away with Reggie Jackson, a 6-3 guard out of Boston College. It's a selection that has everything to do with tomorrow rather than today. Jackson, who averaged 18.2 points, 4.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals as a junior with the Eagles, also isn't a player who will threaten to take anyone else's spot. One report early Thursday morning claimed the Thunder was seeking to package reserve point guard Eric Maynor to move into the top 15 for a shot"

Suns draft Kansas forward Markieff Morris

June 24

Arizona Republic

"Football's loss has become the Suns' gain. Looking to stamp the franchise with more of an edge in Thursday's NBA draft, the Suns picked the Philly-tough Markieff Morris who once emulated Michael Irvin in football until he got too tall, then switched to basketball seven years ago and began looking up to Rasheed Wallace. "Without the attitude," Morris said. The only attitude Morris showed Thursday night was the ideal one for the Suns once they made the Kansas power forward the 13th pick, one spot ahead of his twin Marcus, who went to Houston. In landing a player well into their draft board's top 10, the Suns addressed a need for front-line help on defense and rebounding while keeping to"

Miami Heat trades up in NBA Draft, picks Norris Cole

June 24

Miami Herald

"South Florida's NBA team did something few expected, moving up three spots in the draft to take a point guard. South Florida's best high school player of the past decade ended up going somewhere he didn't expect. And the rest of the NBA played musical picks as teams slogged through Thursday's two-round NBA Draft. The Heat gave up the No. 31 pick, which was the first pick in the second round, a future second-round pick and cash to move up to get the No. 28 pick, Cleveland State point guard Norris Cole. This pick originally belonged to the Heat but went to Toronto, then to Chicago. Chicago took Cole and traded him to Minnesota, which traded him to the Heat. Because of NBA rules, the Heat"

Heat insist there is no anti-foreign draft bias

June 24

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"It was a year after Pat Riley had arrived. Chris Wallace, the Heat's personnel guru, was convinced he had unearthed buried treasure in Estonia. So, based on the shortest of highlight reels, something that resembled the Zapruder film, Martin Muursepp was acquired in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft. Well, that, uh, didn't work out very well. Since then, the names the Heat have drafted have been more along the lines of Smith, Brown, Johnson, Butler. Nope, not a lot of foreign intrigue. But Chet Kammerer, the team's vice president of player personnel, insists it is not a case of taking a provincial approach. "I think Pat's preference is an American player," he said, looking ahead to"

Heat trade into 1st round, select Cleveland State PG Norris Cole

June 24

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Miami Heat's wheel of point guards stopped on Cleveland State's Norris Cole at Thursday's NBA Draft. The wheel just didn't stop where it was expected. And, to a degree, it hasn't stopped spinning yet. After downplaying the possibility of trading into the first round, the Heat did just that, acquiring the No. 28 selection from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the No. 31 pick, a future Heat second-round pick and cash. The irony is that the No. 28 pick originated with Heat, then was traded to the Toronto Raptors to complete last summer's sign-and-trade agreement for Chris Bosh. The pick then was dealt by the Raptors to the Chicago Bulls at midseason. Thursday, the Bulls then"

Thompson leads trio of Horns

June 24

Houston Chronicle

"When Tristan Thompson's name was called as the No. 4 pick in the NBA draft was announced on Thursday night, there were a few gasps echoing through the Prudential Center. But Thompson himself wasn't surprised at all. Thompson, who played for Texas last season, was selected fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. "I worked out with them twice, and I felt after the second time that they might have a place for me," Thompson said. In his freshman year with the Longhorns, Thompson was named the Big 12 freshman of the year after averaging 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers also had the No .1 pick in the draft and selected Duke point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving and Thompson are"

Morey hoping his draft-day risks will be rewarded

June 24

Houston Chronicle

columnist Richard Justice

"Dirk Nowitzki, anyone? When the Rockets scouted 20-year-old Donatas Motiejunas, Nowitzki was the player who kept creeping into the conversation. How's that for putting pressure on the kid? How's that for setting Rockets general manager Daryl Morey — and Motiejunas — up for failure? Don't you love it? When Morey parted ways with Rick Adelman, he knew he was taking a chance. Morey knew that in letting a proven coach go, he might not get someone nearly as good. But he also said he didn't become an NBA general manager to play it safe and that the only way to move forward as an organization, the only way to get back to the point of being able to win in the playoffs, was to take a few chances."

UGA's Trey Thompkins, Travis Leslie reunited in NBA by L.A. Clippers

June 24

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie thought they had left Georgia to pursue their NBA dreams separately. As it turns out, they'll be reunited in Los Angeles after the Bulldogs' star players were both drafted in the second round by the Clippers. Thompkins, a 6-9, 240-pound power forward from Lithonia, was the first to go, but not until the37th pick. His call came at 10:45 p.m., or three hours and forty-five minutes after the NBA Draft show on ESPN began. The call for Leslie, a 6-4 guard from Decatur, came 10 picks and nearly a half-hour later. "Congrats to Trey and Travis on being drafted," Georgia coach Mark Fox said via his Twitter account. "Never thought I'd say I was going to cheer"

Knicks take Tech's Shumpert at No. 17

June 24

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Iman Shumpert was as nervous as he ever gets. "I don't get nervous," he said late Thursday night from his home in Oak Park, Ill. "For me to be nervous means something big is about to happen." That something happened when NBA commissioner David Stern strode to the podium of the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., carrying a card with the former Georgia Tech guard's name on it. "I'll just remember him looking down and not really knowing how to pronounce my name and him finally figuring it out, saying my name," Shumpert said. "I heard my first name and I couldn't hear anything else after that. I just remember everyone jumping up and down and my mother grabbing me. It was a surreal feeling.""

Hawks keep Smith, draft center

June 24

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"After a day of furious trade rumors that included Hawks forward Josh Smith, the NBA draft ended up being a pretty standard affair at the top. The Cavaliers, as expected, selected Duke guard Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick. The Timberwolves took Arizona forward Derrick Williams No. 2 after the Hawks were among several teams that reportedly tried to pry the pick away in a trade. Hawks general manager Rick Sund said Atlanta explored potential trades to move into the first round but "there was nothing that really made sense." The Hawks instead used their second-round pick, No. 48 overall, toOakland (Mich.) University center Keith Benson. Irving and Williams were considered the only potential"

Pistons pick Kentucky guard with character

June 24

Detroit Free Press

"When the Cleveland Cavaliers used the fourth pick of Thursday night's NBA draft on Texas power forward Tristan Thompson, a loud gasp was heard in the media workroom at the Pistons' practice facility. At that very moment through a door and across the practice floor in the Pistons' draft war room the exact reaction came from the front office. Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars was on the phone with the Raptors talking trade about the fifth pick when the Raptors basically hung up because their guy -- Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas -- was available, and they were done bargaining. It was at that moment that Dumars realized that the Pistons had to adjust the plan of"

Scholarly Brandon Knight brings more than a high hoops IQ

June 24

Detroit Free Press

"New Piston Brandon Knight actually played as a sophomore. Sure, he played just one season at Kentucky, but in the classroom he became a sophomore by his second semester because of his Advanced Placement classes in high school. "Brandon Knight had a GPA in high school of 4.3," ESPN's Stuart Scott said, moments after the Pistons selected Knight with the eighth pick Thursday. Knight, who attended Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., visited Yale before landing at Kentucky. "He could go to any school in the country without bouncing a ball," David Beckerman, his prep coach, told the Kentucky Advocate-Messenger in 2010. "He has a 4.3 grade-point average at the No. 1 academic school in"

Michigan's Darius Morris going back home with L.A. Lakers

June 24

Detroit Free Press

"Darius Morris was a guest, but not a guest of honor. For 2 1/2 hours, Morris waited as names were called, dreams were realized, and the Prudential Center's VIP player section gradually emptied in front of him. Seated three rows above the black-and-silver partition that separated invited prospects from the crowd, the former Michigan point guard added more doubters to a list that was already big before tonight's 2011 NBA Draft. Finally, as the clock neared 11 p.m. and the crowd thinned out, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Morris with the 41st overall pick. The long wait ended, and he was going home. "I heard my name finally called and it was a relief, but at the same time it definitely"

Oakland's Keith Benson goes to Atlanta Hawks

June 24

Detroit Free Press

"Oakland University senior center Keith Benson will take his nearly 7-foot-4 wingspan to the the Atlanta Hawks. After being passed over in the first round, and by the Pistons with the 33rd overall pick, Benson was selected 48th overall in tonight's NBA Draft. He became the first player from Oakland University drafted in the NBA. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said the question with Benson is "how high does that motor of his rev?" Oakland coach Greg Kampe said he's never spoken to Bilas about Benson and wasn't happy to hear such criticism of his player, the two-time Summit League player of the year. "I think they've never coached him and have no clue what they're talking about," Kampe said. "I"

Pistons take Duke star Kyle Singler in Round 2

June 24

Detroit News

"With the Pistons' unexpected selection of Brandon Knight, most expected them to fill their hole in the frontcourt. However, the Pistons decided to take Duke forward Kyle Singler with the 33rd overall pick. Singler, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 16.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last year. Singler stayed at Duke all four years. "He's accomplished on the court," Pistons vice president Scott Perry said. "He's a high-character guy. He's well-coached, a winner and he's tough. You can never have too many guys who work on their game as hard as they can." The Pistons opted against drafting Jordan Williams (Maryland), who lost 20 pounds since the season ended, and Oakland's Keith Benson. UCLA's Tyler"

Pistons take Kentucky guard Brandon Knight with No. 8 pick

June 24

Detroit News

"Conventional wisdom said the Pistons would take a big man. That doesn't apply during this NBA draft. The Pistons selected Kentucky guard Brandon Knight with the eighth pick Thursday. Knight, a 6-foot-3 guard who spent one year at Lexington, wasn't expected to be around for the Pistons. The teams ahead of them started a flurry of activity and unexpected picks, which left Knight available. Knight, 19, averaged 17.3 points and 4.2 assists during his lone season at Kentucky, and was an All-SEC second-team selection. He shot 42 percent from the field and 37 from the 3-point line. His 87 3-pointers were a Kentucky freshman record. He was expected to go third to Utah, but the Jazz soured on"

U-M's Darius Morris, Oakland's Keith Benson go in Round 2 of NBA draft

June 24

Detroit News

"Former Michigan standout Darius Morris attended the NBA draft in New Jersey on Thursday, as he expected to be selected in the first round. His wait was long, as he was passed over and not selected in the first round. But Morris was finally rewarded, getting selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round with the 41st pick of the draft. Morris is from Los Angeles. Morris was one of four local college players eligible to be drafted, along with Oakland center Keith Benson, and Michigan State guards Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers. Benson, a mid- to late-second round projection, went to the Atlanta Hawks in Round 2 with the 48th overall pick. The 6-foot-11 center who attended"

Wizards choose forward Jan Vesely at No. 6

June 24

Washington Times

"As he stood outside the interview room just moments after being drafted by the Washington Wizards at No. 6, a slight smile formed across Jan Vesely's face. "I'm more nervous now than I was yesterday," said Vesely, who found out the Wizards were going to select him about five minutes before we went on stage. "Basketball in my country is not so popular, but after this night, I think, I hope that basketball will be more popular. I will do my best to help that." Vesely likes to run, which he says makes him a good fit with guard John Wall. "I think we can work hard to win games. I will do my best, of course, and I am ready to go to the Wizards," Vesely said. As Vesely went through his round of"

Wizards draft Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack

June 24

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards used their No. 6 overall pick in the NBA draft to select foward Jan Vesely and the No. 18 pick on forward Chris Singleton. With the 34th pick, they took point guard Shelvin Mack. Vesely, an athletic player from Czech Republic, was high on Wizards draft board for his ability to thrive in transition and presumably complement point guard John Wall. A small forward who also can play power forward, Vesely averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds in Adriatic league and 9.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in Euroleague last season. Vesely, 21, is considered by some scouts to be more NBA ready than fellow European players Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania) or Enes Kanter, among others,"

Czech! Wizards covered every position in the draft

June 24

Washington Post

"As Jan Vesely worked his way through the bowels of Prudential Center, doing interviews, taking pictures and just enjoying his initial moments as an NBA player, his girlfriend, Eva Kodouskova, and his sister, Hana, waited in a hallway pleasantly taking it all in. Kodouskova later admitted that she was a little apprehensive about returning to the main floor at the arena after getting an abundance of attention for her soon-to-be-YouTube-sensation kiss with Vesely. "I am so shocked," she said. "I don't want to go back there, because they are screaming at me." But she's popular now, what's to complain about? "That was my goal, actually," Kodouskova said with a laugh. "I'm just kidding." When he"

Wizards' picks: Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack

June 24

Washington Post

"F Jan Vesely (6-11, 230) The athletic player from Czech Republic was high on Wizards draft board for his ability to thrive in transition and complement point guard John Wall. A small forward who also can play power forward, Vesely averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds in Adriatic league and 9.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in Euroleague last season. Vesely is considered by some scouts to be more NBA ready than fellow European players Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania) or Enes Kanter (Turkey) because of his extensive playing time in the Euroleague the past two seasons. He also has played for the Czech Republic national team and was named European Young Player of the Year for 2010. Wizards Coach Flip"

2012 NBA Draft