AUBURN HILLS The Detroit Pistons selected center Andre Drummond tonight in the first round of the NBA Draft .
Drummond, a center from Connecticut, widely was projected as a top-six pick. But after a couple of early surprises, the 6-foot-11 youngster became the third consecutive top-shelf prospect to fall to the Pistons on draft day.
The Pistons selected Drummond No. 9 overall, and potentially have an elite front court of the future when he is paired with third-year player Greg Monroe next season.
Drummond, 18, graduated a year early from high school and attended Connecticut for one year, in what would have been his senior prep season otherwise.
The Pistons were leaning to a big man and their best hope was that Drummond fall to them.
That didn't seem likely before the draft. But when the Cleveland Cavaliers reached early for Dion Waiters at No. 4 overall, and Harrison Barnes slipped down the board to the Golden State Warriors at No. 7, and Terrence Ross was an early reach by the Toronto Raptors at No. 8, the Pistons got their man.
Drummond was one of few draft-eligible big men who didn't come here for an individual workout. But representatives of the Pistons, in the event Drummond might fall to them, traveled to New York to meet with him this week.
Drummond averaged 10 points, a team-high 7.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocked shots in his only college season.
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