Canada's RJ Barrett chosen 3rd overall by Knicks as part of record-setting night
6 Canadians selected by NBA clubs, including 4 in 1st round
The New York Knicks picked RJ Barrett third overall in the NBA draft, kicking off a record-setting night for Canadian basketball.
Two more Canadians were selected in the second round, surpassing the record for most players picked from any country outside the United States in a single draft. The previous record of five was set by France in 2016.
"Today is a momentous day for all our Canadian players drafted into the NBA," said Rowan Barrett, general manager of Canada's senior men's basketball team and RJ Barrett's father.
"With a record number of Canadians selected in the 2019 NBA draft, this exemplifies our players reaching for the highest levels in the sport.
WATCH | RJ Barrett drafted by Knicks:
"This growth has not happened overnight and is result of many years of planning, programming and winning."
Virginia Tech guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Toronto was selected 17th overall by the Brooklyn Nets, the second Canadian picked in the draft. Vancouver-born and Arizona-raised Brandon Clarke of Gonzaga was taken four picks later, going to the Oklahoma City Thunder at 21st overall.
WATCH | Alexander-Walker selected in 1st round by Nets:
The new record of six was set when Iowa State guard Marial Shayok of Ottawa was taken 54th by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The younger Barrett was the highest Canadian picked since Andrew Wiggins went first overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.
Anthony Bennett of Brampton, Ont., also went first overall to the Cavaliers in 2013.
WATCH | Clarke 3rd Canadian taken in 1st round on Thursday:
Barrett wore a pink suit with black shirt, tie and pocket square. The lining of his suit was made of Canadian flags.
RJ Barrett 🇨🇦 shows off his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBADraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBADraft</a> drip! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/h7dkGJmzW7">pic.twitter.com/h7dkGJmzW7</a>
—@NBACanada"I just can't tell you how excited we are to be able to land RJ Barrett and add him to the New York Knicks," general manager Scott Perry said in a conference call with reporters a few minutes after the selection was made.
"We love a lot of things about this young man starting with his tremendous competitive level; his desire to want to be great as a basketball player. He's highly accomplished. He had a tremendous freshman season here at Duke."
The NBA champion Toronto Raptors entered the night without a pick in the first round. They held the 59th overall pick and took University of Miami's Dewan Hernandez.
Zion era begins in New Orleans
The six-foot-seven, 285-pounder compiled a career worth of highlights into just one season, becoming the third freshman to be voted player of the year by The Associated Press.
WATCH | Duke's Zion Williamson goes 1st to Pelicans:
Wearing a white suit, he hugged members of his family and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after his name was called first Thursday night at Barclays Center.
Williamson will step into an open position in New Orleans, which recently agreed to trade All-Star Anthony Davis, the last freshman to win the AP award.
Grizzlies find answer for traded Conley
The Memphis Grizzlies wasted no time replacing veteran point guard Mike Conley by selecting Murray State sophomore Ja Morant with the second overall pick.
Morant appeared to be the Grizzlies target almost as soon as the franchise got the second pick in the lottery. The predictions became more certain Wednesday when Memphis traded Conley to the Utah Jazz for a trio of players, clearing a spot for Morant with the Grizzlies firmly in rebuilding mode.
The six-foot-three Morant was the sparkplug for Murray State as the Racers won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March.
The point guard drew little attention out of high school in South Carolina. But his draft stock skyrocketed as Morant averaged 24.5 points last season — seventh in Division I — while also handing out 10 assists and grabbing 5.7 rebounds. He became the first person to average 20 points and 10 assists since the NCAA began tracking assists in 1983-84.
With files from The Associated Press and CBC Sports