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Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the Washington Wizards selected 6’7" swingman Nick Young from Southern California with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft.
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"Young fits in very well with our team," said Grunfeld. "He’s a scorer, he’s extremely athletic, long, and very competitive. Having played for three years at a top college program, he’s mature, and he has a very good future."
The Wizards selected 6’8” forward Dominic McGuire from Fresno State with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the Draft.
"Dominic is extremely athletic, he rebounds, blocks shots, runs the floor well, and plays with intensity,” said Grunfeld. “He’s very competitive, and at the swingman position, he can guard three different positions on the floor."
Last season, Young ranked among the Pac-10 leaders in scoring (17.5 ppg, 2nd), three-point field goal percentage (.440, 2nd) and field goal percentage (.525, 5th). In a second round NCAA Tournament game against Texas in 2007, Young finished with 22 points and seven rebounds in helping USC advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
QUOTES:
Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld
On the Wizards’ first round pick, Nick Young:
"I think he fits in very well. He is a shooting guard with good size. He is 6’7 with a 7-foot wing span, and he is extremely athletic. We are very happy with the pick. He is one of the more mature players in the draft and when he fell in the draft, we were very happy to have him at the number 16 selection."
More on Nick Young:
"Any shooter that plays next to Gilbert (Arenas) is going to get a lot of shots, so that is going to help his progress. He is also a good athlete and can get his own shot. He needs to learn to play the pro-style game, but I think he has a great future."
On how Young will fit in the rotation:
"That is going to be determined at our training camp. We are a veteran ball club and we have a lot of good players, so any rookie that comes in has to earn his minutes and earn his playing time. He has definitely shown his skills and a lot of athletic ability."
More on the selection:
"We went in with the mentality that we would pick the best player available, and Nick was by far the best caliber player available to us."
On the decision to draft Young:
"It was a very easy decision. We did not need the whole time to decide on Nick. We have been discussing this draft for weeks. We evaluate the players as the draft goes along, and as they get picked we take them off our board. The highest player left on the board was the player we picked."
On what type of defensive player he can become:
"I think he can be a very solid defensive player. He has athleticism and long arms. Every player that reaches the pro level raises their level of play, and we feel really good about this selection."
On his offensive skills:
"He shot 44% from the three-point line last year in one of the top conferences in the country. He can get his own shot, and when players reach the pros, they extend their range. What I like about him is his speed, athleticism and quickness. His strength is he can get his own shot, and that is not easy to accomplish."
On second round pick Dominic McGuire:
"He is a very athletic swing player and an outstanding shot blocker. He averaged close to four blocked shots per game, and he can really get up and down the floor. He is very solid and a very good, competitive player."
On the Wizards’ Draft:
"We were very happy with what we did tonight. I look at it like we got three picks tonight in the draft. We added Nick Young, who is an outstanding athlete, he’s very athletic and very long. We are adding Oleksiy Pecherov, who was our first round pick last year. He has greatly improved over the last year. And we added an athletic swingman in Dominic (McGuire), who can guard two or three positions. We are pleased with the draft. I really like the youth and the versatility of the players that we have now."
Wizards First Round Pick Nick Young
On coming to Washington:
"It is a great opportunity for me. I’m very excited to come to Washington and play with some great players and some All Stars. Hopefully I can learn from them."
On playing for an AAU team coached by Gilbert Arenas’ father:
"In high school, Gilbert’s dad coached us. We have a true connection, and when I came up to Washington it felt like home. It just so happened that I ended up here."
On his feelings during his summer workout in Washington:
"It felt like a great place to come and play. In the draft you never know, but I’m glad I landed in Washington, and now it is time to start playing basketball."
On what he expects next season:
"I do not know what to expect, but I’m going to work hard. If I am coming off the bench, or if I am starting, I am just going to work hard and play basketball like I have been my whole life."
On which of his skills are most NBA ready:
"My athleticism and my ability to create my own shot. I need to improve my strength though for the NBA style game."
On adjusting to the NBA:
"I have been working on shooting from the NBA three point line, and I know it is a lot further than college, but I have been doing well in my workouts and making shots."
On his defensive attributes:
"I have long arms, so I will be able to get in there and shut some people down. I play out on the wing, so I will be defending the best players on the other team."