Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
2009 NBA DRAFT1. Clippers – Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma
2. Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn
3. Thunder – James Harden, G, Arizona State
4. Kings – Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
5. Wolves – Ricky Rubio, G, Spain
6. Wolves – Jonny Flynn, G, Syracuse
7. Warriors – Stephen Curry, G, Davidson
8. Knicks – Jordan Hill, F, Arizona
9. Raptors – Demar DeRozan, G, USC
10. Bucks – Brandon Jennings, G, Italy
11. Nets – Terrence Williams, G/F Louisville
12. Bobcats – Gerald Henderson, G, Duke
13. Pacers – Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina
TRADES:
**Phoenix traded Shaquille O’Neal to Cleveland for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a conditional 2010 second round pick and cash
**Atlanta traded Acie Law and Speedy Claxton to Golden State for Jamal Crawford
**The Nets traded Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee
**Dallas traded the rights to No. 24 BJ Mullens to Oklahoma City for the rights to No. 25 Rodrigue Beaubois and a future second round pick
**The Knicks traded Quentin Richardson and cash to Memphis for Darko Milicic
**The Lakers traded the rights to No. 29 Toney Douglas to the Knicks for a future second round pick and cash
**Minnesota traded the rights to No. 18 Ty Lawson to Denver for a future first round pick
**Washington traded rights to No. 32 Jermaine Taylor to Houston for cash
**Portland traded Sergio Rodriguez, the rights to No. 38 Jon Brockman and cash to Sacramento for the rights to No. 31 Jeff Pendergraph
**Denver traded the rights to No. 34 Sergio Llull to Houston for cash STORYLINES:
**Brandon Jennings, who decided to play in Europe last season rather than attend college, is not here.
“Because we do not have strong grasp of Brandon’s draft position, I’ve advised that he and his family enjoy this day in a more private setting with the people he loves the most,” Duffy, president and CEO of BDA Sports Management, said in a statement.
The 6-foot-1 Jennings averaged 5.5 points and 2.3 assists for Lottomatica Virtus Roma of the Italian League.
**Jennings ended up going No. 10 to the Bucks.
**Ricky Rubio is the first player drafted born in the 1990s. Now doesn’t that make you feel old?
**Three North Carolina guys have already gone in the 1st round, two to the Wolves: Tyler Hansbrough (No. 13, Indiana), Ty Lawson (No. 18, Minnesota), Wayne Ellington (No. 28, Minnesota).
**Ellington and Gerald Henderson (No. 12, Charlotte), are best friends and played together at Episcopal Academy in Philly
**Hasheem Thabeet (UConn) is the first player from Tanzania to be drafted
**10 of the first 21 picks were point guards, and 12 were taken in the first round
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.