NEWARK, N.J. — The major suspense in the 2011 NBA Draft was over quickly as Kyrie Irving was taken with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I didn't have any doubts about going No. 1," Irving said. "It's a memory I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."
Despite his confidence, Irving didn't know he was going to be selected by Cleveland until his name was called.
"I knew when everybody else knew," he said. "They gave me no indication that they were going to pick me."
Irving will be joined on the Cavaliers by Texas' Tristan Thompson, selected with the 4th overall pick.
Duke graduates Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith had vastly different draft nights. Smith was taken by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 21st pick, earlier than many predicted. In contrast, Singler fell all the way to the Detroit Pistons with the 33rd pick.
Singler, selected in the second round, will not receive a guaranteed NBA contract.
NBA Deputy Commissioner, and Duke graduate, Adam Silver was received with loud cheers from the crowd after Commissioner David Stern was greeted with a loud chorus of boos.
For further analysis, check out our (four hour!) live blog of the 2011 NBA Draft below for more analysis.
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