Potential First Round Picks
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
