Detroit takes Daye, no other Zags selected
Back with an unedited article on Austin Daye being taken by Detroit with the 15th pick of the first round. No other Zags were selected.
I tried to contact Daye and Josh Heytvelt, who was projected as a second-rounder in numerous mock drafts, but didn't make connections. I was able to see/hear three or four Daye interviews via ESPN, ESPN.com, NBA TV and Detroit's Web site.
Read on for more.
By Jim Meehan Staff writer Seconds after hearing his name announced by NBA commissioner David Stern, former Gonzaga Bulldog Austin Daye kissed his mom, Tamara, embraced his dad, Darren, donned a Detroit Pistons’ hat and posed for pictures with Stern on stage at “It’s kind of an out of body experience,” Daye told NBA TV. “I told my dad I loved him and gave my mom a big kiss on the cheek.” No other Bulldogs were selected, a somewhat surprising development considering forward Josh Heytvelt was projected as second-rounder in numerous mock drafts and a first-rounder in at least one. Ex-Zags Jeremy Pargo and Micah Downs also didn’t hear their names called. Daye, who skipped his last two years of eligibility at Gonzaga, is the Bulldogs’ fourth first-round draft pick and the second highest ever. Adam Morrison was the third overall pick in 2006. John Stockton (16th in 1984) and Dan Dickau (28th in 2002) also were first rounders. Ian Mahinmi, who signed a letter of intent with Gonzaga but never enrolled in school, was drafted late in the first round in 2005. The 21-year-old Daye, who averaged 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds as a sophomore, joins “There were two things that I talked to my staff about as soon as the season was over – increasing our talent base and I wanted character guys,” Pistons president Joe Dumars said. “With the selection of Daye is well aware that he needs to add muscle to his 192-pound frame to withstand the rigors of the NBA’s 82-game schedule. “Every player has to improve,” Daye said. “My game can improve strength wise, that’s my main goal going into the NBA season.” He said wasn’t surprised “I’m just happy I got selected by a great team and a great organization,” said Daye, whose father was drafted in the third round by the Washington Bullets in 1983 and played five NBA seasons. Robin Lopez, last year’s No. 15 pick, made $1.62 million with the Phoenix Suns in 2009 and he’s scheduled to earn $1.74 million next season. “ Prior to leaving for