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Wake Forest's Johnson, Teague, First-Round Selections
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Published: June 25, 2009
Updated: 06/25/2009 09:51 pm
Wake Forest's James Johnson is headed to the Windy City to begin his NBA career, and former teammate Jeff Teague will be going to Atlanta.
Johnson, a forward, was the 16th pick in tonight's draft in New York at Madison Square Garden. The Chicago Bulls selected him.
Teague, a guard, was taken on the 19th pick by the Atlanta Hawks.
Both players gave up their last two college seasons to enter the draft.
Guard Stephen Curry of Davidson was the first player from the state to be picked. He was taken on the seventh pick of the first round by the Golden State Warriors.
He was drafted on the 45th birthday of his father, Dell, who played in the NBA for 16 seasons.
Gerald Henderson, a guard from Duke, was the first ACC player selected. He was taken on the 12th pick by the Charlotte Bobcats.
Tyler Hansbrough, a former North Carolina center, was taken on the next pick by the Indiana Pacers. Hansbrough, the 2008 national college player of the year, was the second senior drafted.
Ty Lawson, UNC's point guard, was the No. 18 pick, going to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The pick was Minnesota's third in the first round and each pick was a point guard.
Minnesota took Ricky Rubio of Spain on the fifth pick and Johnny Flynn of Syracuse on the sixth pick.
Curry said that his father's experience, mostly with the old Charlotte Hornets, has helped him prepare for an NBA career.
"This is the best job in the world," Curry said in New York, where the draft is being held at Madison Square Garden. "Growing up he taught me how to do things the right way.
"I can carry what I learned growing up in my home and watching him in his NBA career and apply it to my live. I'm very excited about this opportunity."
Curry, 6-3, could play either guard position but is known for his long-range shooting. He averaged 28.6 points last season as a junior and was named the Southern Conference player of the year for the second consecutive season.
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