2015 NBA Draft: Karl-Anthony Towns No. 1 in Tally, Goes to Timberwolves; Other Picks Revealed
- Nens Bolilan
- Jun 26, 2015 07:23 AM EDT
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Karl-Anthony Towns was the main man on Thursday night after he was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center.
Yahoo Sports said that Wolves head coach Flip Saunders clearly put his trust that the former University of Kentucky player is the best one for their team especially for the upcoming season.
"I'm just blessed to be in this opportunity to just show that a boy from Piscataway, N.J., and the Dominican Republic can make it," Towns was quoted by Yahoo Sports as saying during a post-draft conference.
He said that it means the world to him to be an example to other kids in proving that "a little hard work, determination, a little bit of luck and some guidance, you can really make it far in this world."
In an ESPN report, Saunders mentioned that picking Towns was a "no-brainer" since he has averaged 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game during his time with the Wildcats.
"When [commissioner] Adam Silver came out, I saw him, and he said, 'With the No. 1 pick ...'[my heart] was racing. I was just shocked and just extremely happy that I was able to give my parents something they can remember for the rest of their lives," Towns added.
After Towns, Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russel was picked followed by Duke's Jahlil Okafor at the No. 3 pick.
"I try to stand out wherever I go and be that star," said the Los Angeles Lakers' pick Russed in a New York Post article.
Other great draft picks on Thursday were Croatian shooter Mario Hezonja (5th), Emmanuel Mudiay, Arizona forward Stanley Johnson (8th), Duke swingman Justise Winslow (10th), Myles Turner, Cameron Payne, Bobby Portis and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
A separate Yahoo Sports report noted that 10th pick Winslow would be perfect for the Miami Heat which lost LeBron James last season. The site noted that having this young player on the team could make Dwayne Wade stay and make the team a great one again despite the frustrations during the previous season.
"I feel like we can mesh well. I feel like we're all so talented and can do so many things on the court that we'll be able to complement each other's skills, and our presence on the court will be great. I'm ready to get down there, meet the guys and I know we'll have a bright future," Winslow said when asked about playing with the Heat stars.
This year's draft turned out exciting and promising for most of the picks especially the young ones entering the NBA. It will be a chance for them to prove their skills and techniques as players going against more experienced ones.
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