Post by GP on Jul 12, 2007 17:55:38 GMT -5
Los Angeles, Calif- The Los Angeles Clippers today announced and intoduced their 2006 draft picks with a press conference. With their first pick, the Clipper selected Rajon Rondo with the 14th overall selection in the draft. Being that the draft was loaded with guards, management was still pleased to see Rondo still on the board at their pick.
"We were glad Rondo was there even though there were some other selections we were looking at", said GM and President of basketball operations Galo Pesantes.
(RealGM) Rondo is expected to make an impact at point guard for the Clippers
Rondo is expected to take over the point guard duties after the incumbent Jason Kidd was dealt to Phoenix prior to the draft. After 14, the Clippers held the rights to the next pick as well which turned out to ultra elusive guard, Daniel Gibson.
Gibson, 20, is a 6'2 190 pound product from the University of Texas and is expected to develop into options at the point guard and shooting guard spots.
"We were looking at Gibson even before the draft by scouting him [at Texas]", said Pesantes. "Hopefully he'll live up to his potential and become a better player on this level."
(Getty Images) Gibson should develop into strong option in the Clips backcourt
Later in the round, the Clippers added some bulk to the frontcourt with their selection of Spaniard Fran Vasquez. With youngster Amir Johnson still coming along, Vasquez seemed like a strong selection at #17.
"[Fran] Vasquez was a guy we didnt expect to be available at 17," Pesantes added. "We were definitely excited to add him to our roster at that spot."
(NBA WIRE) Vasquez was expected to in the lotto, but dropped to the Clippers at No. 17
With the last selection of the first round, the Clippers added yet another guard, this time a local product in Jordan Farmer. The former Taft high school and UCLA standout hopes to make his mark in the Clippers rotation this year.
"Jordan [Farmar] has been great for Southern California hoops with his play over the years and hopefully he can keep it up here," Pesantes stated.
(Getty Images) Farmar should give the Clippers additional depth in the backcourt this season
In other news, the Clippers announced they will waive second year center Mile Ilic. The move is expected to cut their roster down to 14 players and possibly 13 with another cut as they head into free agency.
"We were glad Rondo was there even though there were some other selections we were looking at", said GM and President of basketball operations Galo Pesantes.
(RealGM) Rondo is expected to make an impact at point guard for the Clippers
Rondo is expected to take over the point guard duties after the incumbent Jason Kidd was dealt to Phoenix prior to the draft. After 14, the Clippers held the rights to the next pick as well which turned out to ultra elusive guard, Daniel Gibson.
Gibson, 20, is a 6'2 190 pound product from the University of Texas and is expected to develop into options at the point guard and shooting guard spots.
"We were looking at Gibson even before the draft by scouting him [at Texas]", said Pesantes. "Hopefully he'll live up to his potential and become a better player on this level."
(Getty Images) Gibson should develop into strong option in the Clips backcourt
Later in the round, the Clippers added some bulk to the frontcourt with their selection of Spaniard Fran Vasquez. With youngster Amir Johnson still coming along, Vasquez seemed like a strong selection at #17.
"[Fran] Vasquez was a guy we didnt expect to be available at 17," Pesantes added. "We were definitely excited to add him to our roster at that spot."
(NBA WIRE) Vasquez was expected to in the lotto, but dropped to the Clippers at No. 17
With the last selection of the first round, the Clippers added yet another guard, this time a local product in Jordan Farmer. The former Taft high school and UCLA standout hopes to make his mark in the Clippers rotation this year.
"Jordan [Farmar] has been great for Southern California hoops with his play over the years and hopefully he can keep it up here," Pesantes stated.
(Getty Images) Farmar should give the Clippers additional depth in the backcourt this season
In other news, the Clippers announced they will waive second year center Mile Ilic. The move is expected to cut their roster down to 14 players and possibly 13 with another cut as they head into free agency.