NEWARK, N.J. — The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick Thursday, making the Duke point guard their first of two choices in the top four of the NBA draft.
Loudly cheered by family and friends not far from where he starred at St. Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth, Irving showed no signs of any lingering problems with a right foot injury as he walked up the stairs to shake hands with Commissioner David Stern.
Despite playing 11 games in his only college season because of a toe injury, Irving was too good to pass up with the Cavaliers’ first No. 1 pick since taking LeBron James in 2003.
The draft gives them a chance to quickly rebuild less than a year after James left for Miami, as they also own the No. 4 selection.
Irving has said he has no health concerns, making him the best choice in what’s been called a weak draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves took Arizona forward Derrick Williams with the No. 2 pick. The Utah Jazz were up third with their first of two lottery selections.
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