2009 NBA Draft: 5 Highlights

Looking for the 2009 NBA Draft: 5 Highlights? The 2009 NBA Draft took place in New York City, New York on June 25, 2009. The draft was held in the WaMu Theatre at the historic Madison Square Garden. Here are five highlights from the draft.

1. The Los Angeles Clippers selected Blake Griffin with the first overall pick in the draft. Griffin was a star player at the University of Oklahoma. In the 2008-2009 season Griffin averaged 22 points and fourteen rebounds a game. His play led the Sooners to the NCAA regional final where they fell to North Carolina 72-60.
2. With the fifth pick in the draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Ricky Rubio. Rubio played professional basketball in Spain and was considered a cultural icon. After the draft Rubio declared he needed more time to develop his game and wasn’t ready for the NBA.
3. With the second overall selection the Memphis Grizzles drafted Hasheem Thabeet from the University of Connecticut. According to ESPN, Thabeet was the first Tanzanian player drafted in the NBA. In the 2008-2009 season Thabeet averaged thirteen points, ten rebounds and four blocks a game.
4. The first round marked another interesting story when three players drafted shared a common bond; their dads played in the NBA. Golden State drafted Stephen Curry with the seventh pick, Curry’s dad Dell played in the NBA for 16 seasons. Charlotte drafted Gerald Henderson with the twelfth pick. Henderson’s father Gerald played in the NBA for thirteen seasons. Finally with the fifteenth pick Detroit selected Austin Daye. Daye’s father Darren played in the league for five seasons.
5. With the 23^rd pick in the first round the Sacramento Kings selected Omri Casspi.  Basketball is one of Israel’s most popular sports and to have one of their own in the NBA created headlines throughout the country. His selection marked an important cornerstone, being the first Israeli player drafter, not only for Casspi, but for the Israelite sports world.

Source:

ESPN
NBA DRAFT 2009