New York, NY (Best E Casino) - The Chicago Bulls fulfilled Derrick Rose's childhood dream as the point guard became the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and will play for his hometown team. The Chicago native helped lead the Memphis Tigers to the championship game of the 2008 NCAA Tournament during his freshman season, losing to Kansas in overtime, yet Rose was still named to the All-Final Four Team. He led Memphis with his 189 assists and was second on the squad with 14.9 points per game. The Bulls, who finished 33-49 last season, had the top pick in the draft for the first time since 1999 when they selected Elton Brand. Kansas State forward Michael Beasley was taken by Miami at No. 2. Beasley was a candidate for nearly every national player of the year honor available, becoming a finalist for the Naismith, Oscar Robertson and Wooden Awards before declaring for the draft. He became just the third freshman in NCAA history to lead the nation in rebounding with his 12.4 rpg, broke the NCAA freshman record for double-doubles in a season with 28, logging four in the first half of games as he finished with a scoring average of 26.2 ppg.
|