Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:04 am
The NBA Draft concluded last night, and the First Round held more than a few surprises as teams proved they would not be swayed by what the so-called draft experts predicted. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was the very first pick, widely assumed to be Kyrie Irving to the Toronto Raptors, but the Raptors instead selected forward Derrick Williams out of Arizona. The Charlotte Bobcats, with the second pick, also passed on the former Duke Blue Devil, instead choosing center Enes Kanter from Turkey. The Detroit Pistons were ecstatic after Irving fell to them at the #3 pick, not letting the injury concerns which surely prompted Toronto and Charlotte to pass on him, picking most likely the most talented player in the draft.
Rounding out the Top Five were the two expansion teams. The Seattle Supersonics selected Kentucky's Brandon Knight with the 4th pick, and the Manningham Moose selecting power forward Tristian Thompson from Texas.
As a result of the new expansion rules, the hometown Moose had 10 picks in the draft, offering the opportunity to fill their roster with young talent that will hopefully provide a foundation for future success here in Manningham.
The full list of players selected by Manningham is:
1 (5) - Tristian Thompson, PF, Texas
2 (1) - Kyle Singler, SF, Duke
2 (3) - Trey Thompson, PF, Georgia
2 (6) - Nolan Smith, PG, Duke
2 (8) - Cory Joseph, PG, Texas
2 (10) - Fernando Van Hook, SF, Purdue
2 (15) - Shelvin Mack, SG, Butler
2 (17) - Mayce Scott, SG, Connecticut
2 (19) - Marcus Davis, PF, Purdue
2 (30) - Jason Webb, C, Georgetown
