The Washington Wizards have selected Jan Vesely from the Czech Republic (sixth overall), Chris Singleton from Florida State (18th overall) and Shelvin Mack from Butler (34th overall, second round) in tonight’s 2011 NBA Draft.
“We are very pleased to add Jan, Chris and Shelvin to our roster as we take another step forward in our rebuilding process,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “Jan and Chris and both versatile forwards who are very competitive and play with a lot of energy at all times, particularly on defense. Shelvin is a proven winner who has excelled at the highest levels of collegiate competition and will help solidify our backcourt rotation. All three players compliment our young core of talented players, and add a hunger and desire to compete on both ends of the floor.”
Vesely (6-11, 240 lbs.) has played professionally in Slovenia and Serbia as well as for the Czech Republic national team. He played in the Euroleague for Partizan Belgrade for the last three seasons, and comes to Washington having averaged 10.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 2010-11. The FIBA Young Men’s Player of the Year in 2011, Vesely (pronounced YAHN VEH-she-lee), has connected at a .500 clip or better from the field in every season in his professional career.
Singleton (6-9, 230 lbs.) averaged 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in three seasons at Florida State, including 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.5 blocks per game as a junior in 2010-11. A two-time All-ACC and All-ACC Defensive Team selection, Singleton is also a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year honoree. He leaves Florida State as the only Seminole in history to rank amongst the school’s Top Ten in career blocks and steals.
Mack (6-3, 215 lbs.) participated in the last two NCAA Championship Games at Butler, and was a member of the 2011 NCAA All-Tournament Team. He averaged 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game as a junior in 2010-11, and scored 122 points in six NCAA Tournament contests. Mack also captained the USA U19 team in 2009 that brought home a gold medal.