Bulls Pick Rose to Help Them Rise
Posted on: Friday, 27 June 2008, 06:00 CDT
By Jack Carey
NEW YORK -- Point guard Derrick Rose is bound for his hometown NBA team after the Chicago Bulls made the dynamic Memphis star the first pick in Thursday's draft. The Memphis Grizzles also got a star.
After making O.J. Mayo their No.3 pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded the Southern California guard to the Grizzlies for Kevin Love in an eight-player deal.
A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed it to the Associated Press, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the trade had yet to be officially announced.
Rose led a parade of "one-and-done" former NCAA stars who gave up their college eligibility after one season to enter the draft. Youth was served, as five players who left after one year in college were chosen among the first seven picks and a record seven freshmen were taken by the 14 lottery teams.
Kansas State star forward Michael Beasley was taken second by the Miami Heat.
It was the first time freshmen were taken with the top three picks.
The Bulls, seeking a jolt of energy now and for the future after a disappointing season left them out of the playoffs, hope they find it in 6-2 Rose, who turns 20 in October.
He helped Memphis come within seconds of the national title in April before the Tigers fell to Kansas. Rose is the first guard taken with the top pick since the Philadelphia 76ers chose Allen Iverson 12 years ago.
"I have to show a little bit of leadership and let everyone know that I really want to be there," Rose said.
Eight players who competed in the national title game -- five from Kansas and three from Memphis -- were among 60 chosen in the two rounds.
After speculation Miami might pass on Beasley, 6-7, who led the nation in rebounding (12.4 a game), he said he was relieved he'll be heading for South Florida.
"I was a little surprised" at the talk, Beasley said. "Just to hear my name called took a lot of pressure off. I couldn't get any sleep last night. Now it's here, and it's over. I can sleep."
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Source: USA TODAY
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