Cavs take Irving with No. 1 pick by The Sports Network

Irving joins Elton Brand (Chicago, 1999) and Art Heyman (New York, 1963) as the only Duke players to be selected No. 1 overall.

“I didn’t have any doubts about going to No. 1. I was looking for the organization to pick who they felt was the right choice,” Irving said. “But now to this moment, from being a fan of the NBA Draft and now being drafted, it’s a special feeling in my heart and knowing that my friends and family were together, it’s a memory I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”

The Cavs took Irving after he essentially played less than half a season for the Blue Devils. He missed 26 games his freshman year due to a turf toe injury in his right foot, but returned for the NCAA Tournament and had 28 points in a Sweet 16 loss to Arizona.

Irving played in high school at St. Patrick’s in Elizabeth just a few miles from the Prudential Center.

Cleveland, which selected Texas forward Tristan Thompson at No. 4 overall, needs an injection of energy and scoring for that matter. LeBron James left the Cavs via free agency with his ballyhooed move to Miami. The Cavs went from 61 wins with James in 2009-10 to just 19 without him last season. They finished near the bottom in both offense (95.5 points per game) and defense (104.5 ppg allowed) in the league.

“I’m really not looking to replace LeBron honestly, just try to be Kyrie Irving and just contribute to the Cleveland organization as much as I can,” Irving said. “I’m looking forward to getting to Cleveland. It’s a big sports town and I cannot wait to embrace all of the fans there and the fan support, I can’t wait.”

The Cavs actually got the top selection in a pick they acquired in the multi- player trade that sent Mo Williams to the Los Angeles Clippers for Baron Davis. They made the No. 1 selection for the fourth time in franchise history and Irving joined Austin Carr (1971), Brad Daugherty (1986) and James (2003) on that coveted list.

Irving is the straight point guard (John Wall) and sixth overall to be elected as the top pick since 1966.

Minnesota grabbed Arizona small forward Derrick Williams with the second pick. The 6-foot-8 Williams was the Pac-10 Player of the Year this past season, when he averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds as a sophomore.

“I’m happy. I’m just glad my dreams came true, and I’m happy this whole franchise chose me number two, and I’m just going to keep working and try to be the best player I can possibly be and make the rest of my teammates better,” Williams said.

The Timberwolves will have a pair of high-profile rookies on their team next year. They were just 17-65 last season and lacked a consistent point guard, but finally inked Ricky Rubio to a contract last week.

Utah made Turkish center Enes Kanter the third overall selection. Kanter, who was considered one of the top center prospects for the draft, was enrolled at Kentucky this past season but did not take the floor for the Wildcats because of eligibility issues. He has been a dominant force against players his own age during European competitions and registered a huge double-double with 34 points and 13 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action in the 2010 version of the Nike Hoop Summit in Oregon.

The move means the Jazz will have a pair of centers from Turkey, the other being Mehmet Okur.

“I believe when I go there, he will help me a lot, because we are both from Turkey,” Kanter said. “I will be so comfortable.”

The 6-foot-8 Thompson, who was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, averaged 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Longhorns.

“One of my strengths and attributes is getting up and down the floor and playing with Kyrie, it’s going to be exciting,” Thompson said.

Toronto took 6-foot-11 Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas fifth overall. The 19-year-old was a member of the 2009-10 Lithuanian National Championship team. There is still some uncertainty if he’ll play for the Raptors this season or wait a year to refine his game overseas. He averaged 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 20.6 minutes in 33 contests in the Lithuanian League. He ranked first in the league in blocks, third in rebounds and second in field goal percentage at .668.

Washington grabbed Czech small forward Jan Vesely at the sixth spot, one year after the team took Wall with the No. 1 pick. Vesely averaged 10.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15 contests with Partizan in the 2010-11 season.

Bismack Biyombo, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Congo, went to Sacramento at No. 7. However, the 18-year-old Biyombo, who has a 7-foot-7 wingspan, became the property of the Charlotte Bobcats thanks to a three-team deal involving Milwaukee.

Detroit took Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight at No. 8. Coming off a freshman season in which he averaged 17.3 points and 4.2 assists, Knight has been known for his creative passing skills.

Connecticut guard Kemba Walker went to the Bobcats at ninth overall. Walker led UConn to the national championship this past season and set the school’s single-season record with 965 points. He ranked fourth in the nation and second in the Big East with 23.5 ppg as a junior.

Brigham Young guard Jimmer Fredette, the top scorer in the country who won nearly ever major college basketball award last season, was taken by Milwaukee at No. 10. Fredette, though will play for the Kings due to the aforementioned three-team deal. Fredette averaged 28.9 points per game. His play will come under head coach Paul Westphal, who employs an up-tempo style. That plays directly in the quick-release hands of Fredette.

Washington State guard Klay Thompson, the son of former pro standout Mychal Thompson, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1978 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, was taken next by Golden State. Klay was one of the top scorers in the nation last year averaging 21.6 ppg.

Utah selected Colorado guard Alec Burks with the 12th pick and the Morris brothers, who played at Kansas, went 13th and 14th overall. Markieff was taken by Phoenix, and nearly five minutes later his twin, Marcus, was selected by the Houston Rockets. Markieff led the Big 12 in rebounding during his junior year, while Marcus averaged a team-best 17.2 points last season. They are the third set of twins drafted in the first round.

San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard was taken by Indiana at No. 15, but he’s going to San Antonio with the Spurs dealing forward George Hill to the Pacers.

Philadelphia grabbed USC forward Nikola Vucevic 16th overall. Iman Shumpert, a guard from Georgia Tech, was drafted next by the New York Knicks. Florida State forward Chris Singleton went to Washington at No. 18, Tennessee forward Tobias Harris went to Charlotte at 19th and 7-foot Lithuanian power forward Donatas Motiejunas finished out the top-20 by being chosen by Minnesota. Harris headed to Milwaukee as part of the three-team deal with the Kings, while Motiejunas is reportedly headed to Houston.

Duke guard Nolan Smith went to Portland at No. 21, while Denver selected Morehead State forward Kenneth Faried 22nd overall. Faried led the nation in double-doubles with 27 as a senior and finished career with 86, just one behind the all-time Division I record set by Tim Duncan. Faried also paced the nation in rebounding with 14.5 boards per game.

Montenegro power forward Nikola Mirotic was taken by Houston at No. 23, but he will reportedly be dealt ultimately to Chicago in a deal that includes Brad Miller coming to the Timberwolves and Jonny Flynn to the Rockets.

Oklahoma City picked Boston College guard Reggie Jackson 24th overall. Providence guard Marshon Brooks was taken next by Boston, but he was traded to New Jersey. Two picks later, the Nets took Purdue forward JaJuan Johnson, with his rights going to the Celtics.

Chicago grabbed Cleveland State guard Norris Cole at No. 28, but he’s apparently going to Miami in a trade.

Dallas took Texas forward Jordan Hamilton at No. 26, but he’s on the move to Denver in a big three-way package. In the deal, the Blazers are getting Raymond Felton from Denver, the Nuggets obtaining Andre Miller from Portland, and the Mavericks acquiring Rudy Fernandez from the Blazers.

San Antonio selected Texas guard Cory Joseph and the Bulls grabbed Marquette forward Jimmy Butler to finish out the first round.

This draft shifted in scenery and took place a week before the current collective bargaining agreement expires, It was being held at the Prudential Center because renovations are taking place at historic Madison Square Garden.

The night closed with the Kings taking Washington guard Isaiah Thomas with the final pick of round two.

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