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Ricky at #5, Jennings at #10 in the Draft

2009-06-26 07:12

The NBA Draft was held this morning, and even though Ricky Rubio was drafted at number 5 (a month ago he was projected even at number 3), many Europeans did surprisingly good.

So Ricky Rubio was drafted at 5 by the Minnesota Timberwolves to be followed by non-European, but still playing in Europe last year, Brandon Jennings of Lottomatica Roma at 10.

Victor Claver finally landed at 22 eventhough he was not projected to be in the first round in most mock drafts. He was drafted by the Blazers, but he's probably staying in Europe for a couple of years in order to further develop his game.

At 23 we find possibly the first Israeli to play in the NBA, non other than Omri Casspi. Drafted by the Sacramento Kings.

Frenchman Rodrigue Beaubois was picked at 25 by Oklahoma City Thunder, to be immediatelly traded for B.J. Mullens who was picked at 24 by the Dallas Mavericks.

The third Spanish guy elligible for the Draft, Sergio Llull was picked at 34 by the Denver Nuggets. His rights are being traded to the Houston Rockets

Jonas Jerebko of Sweden oftenly projected to be a late first round pick landed at 39 by the Detroit Pistons.

Nick Calathes, after a great season with Florida was partly projected to be picked late in the first round. It seems that the 3-year contract he recently signed with Euroleague Champions Panathinaikos gave cold feet to many NBA teams, so he ended up at 45 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His rights are being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Timberwolves pick yet another Euro, this time being the Dutch Henk Norel at 47. Chances are he stays in Europe for a couple of years to develop.

Ukrainian Sergiy Gladyr is picked at 49 by the Atlanta Hawks.

Nando de Colo, targeted by Pamesa Valencia, landed at 53 by the San Antonio Spurs.

Emir Preldzic of Fenerbahce was picked by the Phoenix Suns at 57.

Some Europeans that were not picked include Milenko Tepic, Marko Keselj, Rudy Mbemba, Luigi Datome.