The University of Kentucky has made NBA draft history by becoming the first school to have two of its players taken with the first two selections. The Wildcats also set a league mark by having six players chosen in last night’s draft.
The New Orleans Hornets used the No. 1 pick to take Wildcats forward Anthony Davis, who was college basketball’s player of the year as a freshman and named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. The 6-foot-10 Davis averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.7 blocks in his lone season with the national champions.
Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was selected second by the Charlotte Bobcats, who went 7-59 last season to set an NBA record for worst winning percentage. Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 boards while shooting 49 percent from the field.
The Washington Wizards took Florida guard Bradley Beal at No. 3, marking the first time freshmen have been chosen with the first three picks. Beal helped the Gators become SEC title contenders again by scoring 14.6 points a game last season.
Syracuse guard Dion Waiters went to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fourth selection. Waiters averaged 12.6 points a game as a sophomore last season despite not starting a single contest.
Sacramento had the fifth pick and used it on Kansas junior forward Thomas Robinson, who averaged 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds last season.
Kentucky had four players selected in the first round. In addition to Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones went to Houston with the 18th pick and Marquis Teague was chosen by Chicago at No. 29. Philadelphia took Doron Lamb and New Orleans picked Darius Miller in the second round.
Four North Carolina players were taken among the top 17 picks. Harrison Barnes went to Golden State with the seventh pick, Phoenix grabbed Kendall Marshall at No. 13 and John Henson was made the 14th selection by Milwaukee. Tyler Zeller was selected 17th by Dallas before heading to the Cavaliers for the 24th, 33rd and 34th picks.
Miami selected Mississippi State forward Arnett Moultrie with the 27th pick in the draft and dealt him to the 76ers for a second-round pick and a future first-rounder.
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