Another year, another busy night for Duke basketball at the NBA draft.
Adding two more NBA selections, head coach Mike Krzyzewski has now mentored 47 NBA draft picks during his 34-year tenure at Duke, including 26 first-round selections, which is the most all-time.
Mason Plumlee was the first Blue Devil to be taken when he was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Brooklyn Nets. Plumlee was not invited to the draft's green room, but was still in attendance in the audience at the Barclays Centre, which will be his new home arena in the NBA.
He sent out this tweet directly after his selection. Although the message is simple, it has been since retweeted 2,943 times at the time of posting.
https://twitter.com/masonplumlee/status/350434575928930304
Plumlee received a warm reception from the home crowd and enjoyed a brief interview with former Duke star Shane Battier. His new general manager is Duke alum Billy King, who played for the Blue Devils from 1984-87 and was a part of the 1986 Final Four team.
Plumlee was the first draft selection in the coaching tenure of Jason Kidd, who signed on as the Nets' head coach after playing for the New York Knicks last season. The Nets have since made waves by agreeing in principle to a trade that would send Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn in exchange for three first-round draft picks. Plumlee will likely play behind Garnett and center Brook Lopez during his first NBA season, but have an opportunity to see playing time thanks to the Nets' limited frontcourt depth.
Chris Spatola, former Director of Basketball Operations for Duke, broke down Plumlee's potential fit with his new team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ2iR3_QAvA&feature=youtu.be
The next Duke player to come off the board would be Ryan Kelly, who was selected in the second round, 48th overall, by the Los Angeles Lakers, where Kelly will have the opportunity to play alongside former Blue Devil Chris Duhon.
Kelly took to Twitter shortly after his selection as well.
https://twitter.com/RyanKelly34/status/350468951156858882
Lakers general manager Mitch Kuchak provided his thoughts on drafting Kelly, which was his team's only selection at the 2013 draft. Kuchak lauded Kelly for his consistency from long range, citing that he was the top player on Los Angeles' draft board at the time of his selection, and also noted that the Lakers will not rush Kelly back onto the court.
Kelly is nearing the end of a 12-week rehab process following surgery on his right foot, but will likely not suit up for the Lakers in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Unlike Plumlee and Kelly, Seth Curry did not hear his name called on draft night. Like Kelly, Curry was also recovering from offseason surgery and could not participate in workouts with any NBA teams. It did not take him long after the draft's conclusion to offer his congratulations for his two recently drafted teammates.
https://twitter.com/sdotcurry/status/350471117993017344
Curry's older brother, All-Star point guard Stephen Curry, also chimed in on his younger brother's NBA future.
https://twitter.com/StephenCurry30/status/350467821442039808
According to Rick Bonnell, who covers the Charlotte Bobcats for the Charlotte Observer, said that the Bobcats did extend an offer for Seth Curry to play with them for the Las Vegas Summer League, but Curry had to decline due to his injury.
https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/350655655964717057
https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/350655786986385409
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