NEW YORK, 28 June 2003 — American high school sensation LeBron James was the hit of the NBA draft on Thursday but foreign players made the biggest impact with a record 21 being selected in the annual lottery.
The night began as expected with the Cleveland Cavaliers making James the number one selection.
But the evening quickly took on an international flavor when the Detroit Pistons used the second overall pick to take 7-foot Drako Milicic, making the Serb the highest drafted European in NBA history.
A record nine foreign players would be taken in the opening round, the two round total four more than the 17 taken last year.
A 6-foot, 8-inch, 240-pound dunking and marketing machine, James is considered basketball’s next big thing, already tipped as future Hall of Famer and the player most likely to fill the superstar void left by Michael Jordan.
Certainly Nike believes in the hype swirling around the 18 year-old from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, signing him to a $90 million endorsement deal.
A stunning combination of physical gifts and finely honed athletic instincts, James led his school to three Ohio state titles last season and will be expected to do the same for the woeful Cavaliers.
But if any of the weighty expectations hung heavily on James’ massive shoulders they were evident as he confidently strode across the stage at Madison Square Gardens to shake NBA Commissioner David Stern’s hand when his name was the first called.
“I’m excited this dream has finally come true and all the hard work has finally paid off,” James said.
“It wasn’t like I was wondering where I’m going or what pick I would be taken.
“I knew where I was going and I was excited to stay home and play for the Cavaliers.”
The early part of the draft unfolded according to script with the Pistons taking Milicic then the Denver Nuggets selecting Carmelo Anthony, the freshman who led Syracuse University to the national championship, third overall.
A combination of agility and strength, Milicic is also one of the youngest players ever selected in the draft having turned 18 just six days ago.
“I knew a month ago that Detroit was interested in me and I’m ready for Detroit,” Milicic said. The guard was one of three players from Serbia & Montenegro in the opening round with Buducnost teammates Zarko Cabarkapa and Aleksandar Pavlovic going 17th and 19th respectively to the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz.
“I have to work very hard and bring the best game I can.
“I work every day, every day I am lifting. I think I am ready physically for this game,” Milicic added.
The draft laid the foundation for what could develop into one of the NBA’s most intense and exciting rivalries, with James and Anthony going head-to-head for seasons to come.
Despite the fact James was the consensus top pick, Anthony has conceded nothing predicting that he would outshine and outplay his friend and rival in the NBA.
A polished player bursting with finesse, many scouts see the 6-foot, 8-inch forward as the player most ready to step into a team’s starting lineup.
“I’m motivated to be the best that I can be,” Anthony said.
“I can’t worry about the amount of money LeBron James got, I’m happy with my endorsement deal.”
