Raps Pick Valanciunas, Big Nights for Canadians in Draft

Toronto, ON-An odd night in Newark, New Jersey saw the Raptors select Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas with the 5^th overall pick in the draft.  This pick that was widely unpopular with fans as big name players like Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo and Jimmer Fredette were still available for the Raptors to choose.

With big names players dropping down in the draft order it was a HUGE night for Canadian basketball, as Tristan Thompson was surprisingly, but deservedly selected 4^th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Cory Joseph was picked by San Antonio with the 28^th pick.  This is monumental on many levels as Thompson is the highest Canadian ever picked in the NBA draft, while many thought Joseph was going to be a second round pick.  This was also the first time two Canadians have ever been drafted in the first round. NPH wishes our most heartfelt congratulations to both Thompson and Joseph, and hope for long and successful careers for these Canadian trailblazers. They are truly carving the path for those to come in the Great White North.

Kyrie Irving, as many thought, was the first overall pick in the draft, while Derrick Williams was expectedly taken second by the Timberwolves.  It really wasn’t until Utah drafted Enes Kanter third overall, that the drafting took an unexpected turn.

This was the entire first round of the 2011 NBA Draft: