(June 28, 2006) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they selected forward/guard P.J. Tucker with the 35th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and dealt the draft rights to forward Edin Bavcic (56th pick) to the Philadelphia 76ers for cash considerations. The Raptors opened the 2006 NBA Draft with the first overall pick for the first time in team history and selected Benetton Treviso forward Andrea Bargnani.

Tucker, 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, was an early entry candidate for the draft after three seasons at the University of Texas. He averaged 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds in 87 games. He shot .526 per cent from the field (438-832). He was named Big 12 Player of the Year last season.

Tucker averaged career bests of 16.1 points and 9.5 rebounds in 37 games as a junior. He led the team in scoring, rebounding and steals (66). He scored 20 or more points 10 times and had 16 double-doubles. He posted a season-best 26 points twice and totaled a career-high 17 rebounds against Texas A & M. He recorded 59 points, 50 rebounds and 15 assists in four NCAA Tournament games.

As a sophomore, Tucker finished second on the team in scoring (13.7) and second in rebounding (8.0). He had a season-high 27 points and 14 rebounds against Wake Forest.

In 2003-04, he was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team. He was second on the team in points (10.4) and first in rebounding at 6.8. He scored in double figures 19 times, including a high of 27 against George Washington. He also had a season-best 15 rebounds in that same game.