NEW YORK (Reuters) – Canadian forward Anthony Bennett of UNLV was taken with the number one overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, setting the tone for a surprising NBA Draft on Thursday.
Bennett, a versatile 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 16.1 points and 8.1 rebounds as a freshman last season, jumped over touted centers Nerlens Noel of Kentucky and Ukrainian Alex Len of Maryland to land as top pick by the Cavs.
Injuries to Noel (knee) and Len (foot) and others clouded the picture in a draft that was without a consensus number one choice, and Bennett himself landed with the 24-58 Cavaliers despite undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of his season.
“I’m just as surprised as everybody else,” Bennett told reporters at Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets.
Athletic guard Victor Oladipo of Indiana was taken with the second pick of the first round by the Orland Magic, and the Washington Wizards followed by claiming forward Otto Porter, who played for nearbyGeorgetown University, third overall.
“Surreal feeling, man,’ said Oladipo. “I’ve been watching this draft pretty much all my life, and to actually be a part of it and to actually be the number two pick in this draft is truly a blessing.”
Trade rumors circulated throughout the draft, with the Barclays Center crowd distracted by reports the Nets had agreed in principle to a mega-deal with the rebuilding Boston Celtics that would send Kevin Garnett,Paul Pierce and Jason Terry for a trio of future number one picks.
Nothing was made official, however, and the draft chugged along complicated by a lively trade market of its own.
The Charlotte Hornets tabbed Indiana center Cody Zeller with the fourth pick before Len was scooped up by the Phoenix Suns and Noel was taken by the New Orleans Pelicans with the next two picks.
Noel, however, was later informed he had been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a package that sent All-Star guard Jrue Holiday to New Orleans.
“They’ve got a great organization there, too,” Noel said about the 76ers after telling a TV interviewer how happy he was about joining New Orleans. “I’m just staying positive about everything.
Some deals were announced on the podium by Commissioner David Stern but not yet made official lending suspense and some confusion to the draft proceedings.
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After the top 10 choices were distributed there was a rush toward international players in the draft.
New Zealander Steven Adams out of the University of Pittsburgh was taken with the 12th pick by theOklahoma City Thunder, NBA finalists in 2012.
Poised to become just the third Kiwi to play in the NBA, the 7-footer from Rotorua was a freshman at Pittsburgh and ranked first on the team in rebounds with 6.3 a game and blocks (2.0 average) while averaging 7.2 points.
Three picks later the Milwaukee Bucks claimed forward Giannis Antetokounmpo out of Filathlitikos AO ofGreece, a 6-9 forward who at 18 was the youngest player available in the draft.
The Boston Celtics used the 16th pick to take Brazilian Lucas Nogueira, a center from Estudiantes (Spain), and the Atlanta Hawks followed by selecting guard Dennis Schroeder of Phantoms Braunschweig ofGermany.
With the 19th pick, the Cavaliers chose Russian guard Sergey Karasev of BC Triumph Lyubertsy, and two choices later the Utah Jazz grabbed Senegalese center Gorgui Dieng of Louisville.
As for the top pick, the powerfully-built Bennett was considered one of the best rounded prospects from this year’s draft class, equally adept at scoring from down low as he was shooting from the outside.
“I can contribute at the four, at the three,” said the 20-year-old Bennett.
“There’s things I still need to work on, but I feel like I’m a great team mate, unselfish. I think I can fit in right away.”
