Former Kansas University forward Julian Wright was selected 13th overall in Thursday night’s NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, making him KU’s first lottery pick (Top-14) since seniors Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich were both selected high in the 2003 NBA Draft.
Wright slipped a little compared to earlier projections. The biggest surprises came with his hometown Chicago Bulls taking Florida’s Joakim Noah at No. 9, followed by Sacramento taking Washington big man Spencer Hawes at No. 10.
The Hornets went 39-43 a year ago, missing the Western Conference playoffs. In New Orleans, Wright will join one of the league’s top young point guards in Chris Paul, who was the 2005-06 NBA Rookie of the Year.
In the No. 13 slot, Wright will make $1,449,300 in his rookie season, followed by $1,558,000 his second season and $1,666,700 in his third year. The fourth year, a team option year, he’s scheduled to make $2,381,714.
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