The NBA Draft of 2009 has permeated the sports world over the past few days. While most people knew that Blake Griffin would be chosen first (and chosen he was, by the Clippers with their number one pick), some players fell down the list, while others moved up higher than expected. So who ended up on the Grizzlies’ roster?
The Memphis Grizzlies had the second overall pick in the draft, and with it, they took Hasheem Thabeet, the 7’3” center from UConn. They also had the 27th overall pick, with which they took DeMarre Carroll, the 6’8” forward who played for Vanderbilt, then Missouri. How were these picks received?
Mostly well, according to observers. The Memphis Commercial Appeal said that, while there was some debate over which player to take at number two, Thabeet’s name was met with cheers from most of the crowd. NBA.com calls Thabeet “an imposing physical specimen who protects the basket,” while describing Carroll as a “tenacious interior player with terrific physical ability.” The Grizzlies also took Sam Young, 6’6” forward from Pittsburgh, at pick number 36 (round two of the draft); he’s described as “an aggressive defender and rebounder.”
While the draft is never a perfect indication of a team’s performance in the coming seasons, it does seem that the Grizzlies got a couple of talented players who could contribute a lot to the team. Watch for the 2009-2010 NBA season, starting this fall, to see just how the team does on the court.