Photogallery: Rodney Carney Introduction

The 2006 NBA Draft was an exciting night for all, especially for Rodney Carney.

Moments after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls, Carney was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. The trade happened so quickly that Carney was last to hear the good news.

“I didn’t know what happened until I sat down and got on the radio,” Carney said in a conference call with reporters late Wednesday night. “They said, ‘Well Philly how do you like it?’ I said, ‘What - I thought Chicago?’ They are like ‘No Philly’ and I said, ‘Oh man - it’s happening. I’m getting traded already.’ It was a pretty good feeling being picked and Philly is a great fit for me.”

Before Carney could unwind from the long night, he was on a train at 9am to Philadelphia from New York to start his life as a Sixer.

“Yesterday was a real hectic night but it all ended with my dreams coming true and I am glad to be here in Philadelphia,” said Carney.

As soon as Carney stepped off the train, he made his first appearance as a Sixer at the Wissahickon Boys and Girls Club. Carney spoke with the children about the value of working hard to achieve your dreams.

Shortly after his appearance, Carney was rushed back to the Wachovia Center to meet with the media and get introduced as the newest Sixer. Despite the hectic schedule, Carney was ready to speak.

Carney is confident that he can contribute the team. At last night’s press conference, Sixers President Billy King expressed that Carney was a good fit.

“I think Rodney is a good shooter. The way the game is going nowadays you need players like Rodney, Andre [Iguodala] and Bobby Jones (another player the Sixers acquired in the draft).”

“If you look at the playoffs, you had a lot of players getting up and down the floor, defensive players, offensive players,” said Sixers Head Coach Maurice Cheeks. “You had a lot of ways teams could go. I think with Rodney coming in we have different ways that we can go. It gives us different options when you have a player like him.”

“I am hoping to bring excitement to the team, help the team progress and playoffs,” said Carney. “It’s going to be a great season.”