Michael Beasley, who revitalized Kansas State’s basketball program in one brilliant season, was the overall No. 2 pick in an NBA draft that turned into a huge disappointment for the Sunflower State’s second-most famous college player.
Guard Mario Chalmers, whose 3-point shot with 2 seconds left capped Kansas’ amazing comeback against Memphis in the NCAA championship game, failed to join teammates Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur as first-round picks.
Some draft projections had the 6-foot-1 Chalmers as high as 12th overall. But he sat and waited until Minnesota finally took him in the second round, the 35th player drafted overall. His rights were later traded to Miami.
Rush was the first Jayhawk picked, taken by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 13th selection overall. A trade a short time later sent him to Indianapolis, where the 6-6 guard could be reunited with older brother Kareem. Kareem played for Indianapolis last year but is now a free agent.
Almost as deflated as Chalmers was Arthur, the Jayhawks’ 6-9 forward. Expected to go high in the first round, Arthur’s stock apparently plummeted because of concerns that he could have a kidney issue.
He was finally taken by New Orleans as the 27th pick. A deal worked out before the draft will send him to Portland.
“I was nervous, just waiting patiently and trying to see what team would pick me up,” Arthur said.
His health, he said, “is fine.”
“I took another blood test in Washington, and everything came up fine,” he said. “But everything is cool. “
The crowd at Madison Square Garden, which had spent much of the night booing and jeering, gave Arthur a tremendous ovation when he finally was taken.
The television cameras caught Sandra Arthur weeping when her son’s name was finally called.
“I expected him to go sooner, and I could see anticipation in him and the hurt that he may not go in this round,” she said. “He’s going to do well. He always does well. You’ll see when he gets on the court.”
With the 46th pick, Beasley’s college teammate, Bill Walker, was taken by the Washington Wizards. Often injured, Walker was a high school teammate of O.J. Mayo, who was the overall No. 3 pick in the draft. Walker’s rights were later acquired by the Boston Celtics.
Darnell Jackson became the fourth member of Kansas’ national championship team to be drafted when Miami took the 6-8 forward with the 52nd pick. With the 56th pick, Kansas center Sasha Kaun was picked by Seattle. Kaun has signed a three-year contract to play for a team in his native Russia.
