USA/CAN – Wall goes No 1 to Wizards; numerous internationals drafted

NEW YORK (NBA) - John Wall led a parade of five Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the NBA Draft while several foreigners also had their names called on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Washington Wizards used the first pick in the draft on Wall, who has turned professional after just one year in Lexington playing for John Calipari.

It marked the first time a player from Kentucky, one of the most dominant teams in the history of college basketball, had been taken with the number one pick.

A North Carolina native who is only 19, Wall knows much will be expected of him by the Wizards.

"I was always a leader by example being the first in the gym and the last in the gym," Wall said. "But I'm a leader that doesn't mind speaking up to the older guys."

Other Wildcats to go in the first round were DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings, 5th) Patrick Patterson (Houston Rockets, 14th), Eric Bledsoe (Oklahoma City Thunder, 18th) and Daniel Orton (Orlando Magic, 22nd).

Oklahoma City traded Bledsoe's rights to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Chicago Bulls selected promising French power forward Kevin Seraphin 17th but were reportedly set to trade his rights to Washington along with former Team USA guard Kirk Hinrich.

Venezuela's Greivis Vasquez, coming off a stellar career with the Maryland Terps, was taken 28th by the Memphis Grizzlies.

The ACC Player of the Year was ecstatic to be selected.

"It was priceless, a great moment," he said.

"I'm happy, so excited the Memphis Grizzlies selected me.

"I was waiting for this moment for my whole life.”

Vazquez had declared for the draft after his junior season at Maryland but withdrew.

When he went on stage, the shooting guard passed on shaking David Stern’s hand and instead gave the NBA commissioner a bear hug.

"You only get drafted once,” he said.

“Back home, no one thought I'd be in the NBA.

"I was dreaming since I was little that I'd play in the NBA."

Vazquez will be a key man for Venezuela at next year's FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina when they attempt to qualify for the Olympics.

Three players that will be at the FIBA World Championship were taken soon after Vazquez.

The New Jersey Nets took center Tibor Pleiss of Germany with the first pick of the second round and then traded his rights to Oklahoma City.

One of the revelations of last year's EuroBasket, Nemanja Bjelica of silver-medal winning Serbia, was taken four places later by Washington.

The New York Knicks drafted Canada international Andy Rautins eighth in the second round.

The Minnesota Timberwolves took young Brazilian Paulao Prestes with the 15th pick in the second round.

A potential player for Great Britain at the London Olympics, seven-footer Ryan Richards, went to the San Antonio Spurs with the 19th pick in the second round.

Two Senegalese players were drafted.

The Atlanta Hawks took small forward Pape Sy 23rd in the second round and Hamady N'diaye went three picks later to Minnesota.

FIBA