Potential First Round Picks
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As expected Derrick Rose, of Memphis, was the first pick in the draft by the Chicago Bulls. He’s considered a franchise point guard and is a former high school star from Chicago. (Bill Waugh / AP)
Brook Lopez of Stanford is a hard worker though probably not an impact player in the NBA right away.
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Kansas State’s Michael Beasley, who went to the Miami Heat at No. 2, dominated many big games for the Wildcats. An offensive force -- he scored 26 points a game in his only college season -- he’s closer to 6-foot-8 than the 6-10 he was listed in college. (Robert Gauthier/ Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA’s Kevin Love didn’t have a terrific NCAA tournament, but the 6-foot-10 center impressed the NBA scouts in tryouts recently and was selected No. 5 by the Memphis Grizzlies. Love was traded to the Minnesoata Timberwolves for O.J. Mayo in an eight-player, late-night blockbuster after the NBA draft concluded.
• Sports A-Z: Kevin Love (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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USC’s O.J Mayo was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, another one-and-done college player only because of the NBA’s rule prohibiting players from going to the pros straight out of high school. The 6-foot-4 guard, who scored 20.7 points a game last season, can play either the point and shooting guard. Mayo was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Kevin Love in an eight-player, late-night blockbuster after the NBA draft concluded.
• Sports A-Z: O.J. Mayo (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA’s Russell Westbrook was a surprise at the No,. 4 pick by the Seattle Supersonics. He’s a bit undersized for a shooting guard at 6-foot-3 but has great athletic ability and could have a huge upside for a team looking for a spark off the bench at both ends of the floor.
• Sports A-Z: Russell Westbrook (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
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Rated by most as the top European in the draft, AJ Milano’s Danilo Gallinari is a polished offensive player who can score from the perimeter and off the drive. The 6-foot-8 forward, who will turn 20 in August, averaged 10.9 and 17.5 points a game the last two seasons in Italy’s top league. (Ariel Schalit / AP Photo)
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Forward Joe Alexander of West Virginia has seen his prospects skyrocket after a series of strong workouts. He’s an athletic 6-foot-8 wing who has a refined mid-range game and the ability to score inside -- he averaged 16.9 points a game last season as a junior. (Mollie Woody / AP)
Stanford center Brook Lopez, left, averaged more than 19 points and nine rebounds a game last season as a sophomore. The 7-footer should be able to help a team that needs inside strength, probably as a reserve. His twin brother, Robin, who isn’t as skilled yet offensively, is also available in the draft. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Darrell Arthur of Kansas comes with a reputation of not working hard enough at times but had his big moments in the NCAA title game. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 11.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 54.1% in two seasons for the Jayhawks. (Matt York / AP)
Generously listed at 6-foot, point guard D.J. Augustin of Texas averaged 19.2 points a game as a sophomore last season. Extremely quick, he is able to penetrate and finish. Defending at the
A lanky left-hander, 6-foot-10 forward Anthony Randolph of