18°c A few clouds
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Kentucky duo goes 1-2 at NBA draft
NEWARK, N.J. -- No one-and-done for Kentucky's kids in the NBA draft. The Wildcats instead became the first school to go 1-2.
After the New Orleans Hornets selected Kentucky forward Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick Thursday, Charlotte followed by taking fellow freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
The Wildcats are the first school to have the top two picks, part of what they hoped would be perhaps five or even six players selected in the first round. John Calipari has been criticized for taking "one-and-done" players -- they stay the required one year and leave -- but he looked thrilled hugging his two stars.
"It's crazy," Davis said. "Michael is a great player. We have two down and four more to go. Hopefully all of them will go in the first round."
Davis will begin his pro career in the same city where he ended it with a national title. College basketball's player of the year as a freshman was the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four despite shooting just 1 for 10 from the field in the championship game, grabbing 16 rebounds and blocking six shots in the victory over Kansas.
Davis slipped on a blue and purple Hornets hat above a conservative grey suit that took no attention away from basketball's most famous eyebrow. Davis even attempted to capitalize on the attention his unibrow gets, trademarking "Fear The Brow" and "Raise The Brow" earlier this month.
On the floor, Davis has the agility of a guard -- and he was one only a few years ago.
The 6-foot-10 Davis averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.7 blocks, becoming a dominant defender after growing 7 inches from the start of his junior year of high school.
Kidd-Gilchrist's selection by the Bobcats was loudly cheered, a sharp contrast from the boos Commissioner David Stern received when coming out to announce the picks. The new Charlotte swingman played in high school at nearby St. Patrick's in Elizabeth, N.J., and fans chanted "MKG! MKG!" as he walked off the stage.
Florida's Bradley Beal went third to Washington, making it three SEC freshman in the first three picks. Cleveland followed with the surprisingly early pick of Syracuse sixth man Dion Waiters at No. 4.
Thomas Robinson of Kansas, who hoped to go second, fell to Sacramento at No. 5. Portland took Weber State's Damian Lillard at No 6 with its first of two lottery picks, and North Carolina's Harrison Barnes was taken seventh by Golden State.
-- The Associated Press
first-round selections c10
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 29, 2012 C7
More Basketball
- Back to Top
- Return to Basketball
More Basketball
(1 of 8 articles for today)
Carlesimo says Nets are good, but goal of a title in 2 years is 'maybe not totally realistic'
5:32 PM 0NEW YORK, N.Y. - P.J. Carlesimo thinks the Brooklyn Nets' goal of winning a championship within the next two years ...
Poll
Most Popular Basketball
- LeBron gets to the rim for the game-winner, and Heat top Pacers to open East finals, 103-102
- Durant donates $1 million for tornado relief
- Cavaliers win NBA draft lottery, again
- With NBA draft lottery completed, teams dive into preparations for June draft
- LeBron to the rescue: James scores at buzzer, Heat top Pacers 103-102 in Game 1 of East finals
- Michael Jordan says his NBA franchise is changing its name from Bobcats to Charlotte Hornets
- James gets all 119 votes, Bryant earns record-tying 11th selection to All-NBA first team
- LeBron dooms Pacers in Game 1 of East finals, scoring at buzzer to give Heat 103-102 win
- Now it's the Knicks who have the veterans, and a lead over the Celtics in their playoff series
- Judge says auction house cannot sell Kobe Bryant's stuff yet as legal issues get complicated
- Michael Jordan says his NBA franchise is changing its name from Bobcats to Charlotte Hornets
- Cavaliers win lottery again, have No. 1 pick in NBA draft
- Durant donates $1 million for tornado relief
- Serbian police say former Heat, Mavericks player Predrag Danilovic seriously injured in fight
- Cavaliers win NBA draft lottery, again
- Capsule preview of the NBA's conference finals
- Warriors forward Harrison Barnes leaves playoff game with head injury
- Give Heat edge due to experience
- Mayor: Deal to sell Kings to Sacramento group has been signed
- Mike Krzyzewski return as US men's Olympic basketball coach no longer ruled out
- Judge says auction house cannot sell Kobe Bryant's stuff yet as legal issues get complicated
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Jason Collins: Support after his decision to come out as gay NBA player has been 'incredible'
- 'Do me a solid' and free jailed American, Dennis Rodman asks North Korean leader in tweet
- Obama, Bill Clinton commend NBA player Collins on coming out as gay, offer support
- Michael Jordan says his NBA franchise is changing its name from Bobcats to Charlotte Hornets
- Real Madrid upsets Barcelona 74-67, Olympiakos stuns CSKA 69-52 to reach Euroleague final
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- LeBron James wins MVP for 4th time, 1 vote shy of being a unanimous selection
- MB Basketball hall of fame names new inductees
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.