2020 NBA Draft
By Michael Limon
El Rodeo Staff Writer
El Rodeo Staff Writer
In this year's draft the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the first pick of the 2020 NBA draft on Wednesday night. The Golden State Warriors took center James Wiseman with the No. 2 pick, and guard Lamelo Ball followed as the third pick to the Charlotte Hornets.
Edwards joins a young Timberwolves core led by star center Karl-Anthony Towns and point guard D’Angelo Russell. Edwards led all Division I freshmen with 19.1 points per game and was the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year. Edwards joins Markelle Fultz as the only players in the lottery era to go No. 1 overall coming from a program with a record of .500 or worse in his final college season. The Bulldogs went 16-16, including 5-13 in the SEC. Edwards, Wiseman and Ball were each, at different times, projected to be the top pick in the draft. Edwards, however, was the best positional fit for Minnesota. Wiseman shares the same position as Towns, and Ball shares the same position as Russell and had emerged as the likely top pick in the days leading up to Wednesday's draft.
Ball, younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, is a gifted passer who will give the Hornets some desperately needed star power. LaMelo and Lonzo, who was the No. 2 pick in 2017, are the first pair of brothers in NBA history to be drafted in the top five. LaMelo said he didn't consider falling to the third pick a letdown.
With the No. 4 pick, the Chicago Bulls took Florida State forward Patrick Williams. After the Bulls took Williams, the Cleveland Cavaliers picked fifth for a second straight year and selected Auburn wing Isaac Okoro.
The rest of the lottery picks:
Edwards joins a young Timberwolves core led by star center Karl-Anthony Towns and point guard D’Angelo Russell. Edwards led all Division I freshmen with 19.1 points per game and was the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year. Edwards joins Markelle Fultz as the only players in the lottery era to go No. 1 overall coming from a program with a record of .500 or worse in his final college season. The Bulldogs went 16-16, including 5-13 in the SEC. Edwards, Wiseman and Ball were each, at different times, projected to be the top pick in the draft. Edwards, however, was the best positional fit for Minnesota. Wiseman shares the same position as Towns, and Ball shares the same position as Russell and had emerged as the likely top pick in the days leading up to Wednesday's draft.
Ball, younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, is a gifted passer who will give the Hornets some desperately needed star power. LaMelo and Lonzo, who was the No. 2 pick in 2017, are the first pair of brothers in NBA history to be drafted in the top five. LaMelo said he didn't consider falling to the third pick a letdown.
With the No. 4 pick, the Chicago Bulls took Florida State forward Patrick Williams. After the Bulls took Williams, the Cleveland Cavaliers picked fifth for a second straight year and selected Auburn wing Isaac Okoro.
The rest of the lottery picks:
- 6. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
- 7.Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, PG, France
- 8.New York Knicks: Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
- 9. Washington Wizards:Deni Avdija, SF, Israel
- 10. Phoenix Suns: Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
- 11.San Antonio Spurs: Devin Vassell, SG, Florida State
- 12.Sacramento Kings: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
- 13.New Orleans Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
- 14.Boston Celtics:Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt