Kentucky guard Joe Crawford said he had been waiting for this moment all his life.
For Mitch Kupchak it felt like a lifetime before the Los Angeles Lakers were able to announce that they had selected Crawford with their lone pick, No. 58, in Thursday's NBA draft.
When Kupchak finally called Crawford after 9 p.m. PDT, 57 players had been selected with Memphis' Derrick Rose being the first overall pick.
"When the day started I was really nervous,"
Crawford said. "Then to go to one of my favorite teams in L.A, I can't explain it (the feeling)."
Crawford, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, played four seasons at Kentucky, averaging 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 127 games. A second-team All-SEC pick, he finished his collegiate career as the Wildcats' 19th all-time leading scorer with 1,438 points.
Kupchak said he felt lucky to have landed Crawford, who impressed Lakers officials in his pre-draft workout. The Lakers GM said he projected Crawford to be a high second-round pick.
"He's a ball-handling guard,"
Kupchak said. "He'd be a two-guard but he can handle the ball a little bit."
"Again, we had him projected to be a lot higher than 58 ... so we're happy to have him as part of our team."
Crawford, who combines strength and athleticism at the shooting guard position, isn't expected to contribute right away, especially playing behind Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic, a restricted free agent who the Lakers are expected to re-sign. Crawford is a longshot to make the roster.
"We're a veteran team, but I think he'll fit in,"
Kupchak said. "I think he'll be able to play with these guys, but we're not a team in rebuilding mode with a bunch of open roster spots. He's going to have to come in an earn it."
Kupchak said he was impressed by Crawford's shooting ability and the fact he played for the Wildcats, who reached the NCAA Tournament in his final two seasons.
"He's a four-year guy, so he's played a lot of basketball at a high level,"
Kupchak said. "He also played well in the postseason and in big venues. He's had a great career."
Crawford will get another chance to prove himself by playing in the NBA Summer League that begins in two weeks in Las Vegas.
"If he plays well, he'll be invited, he'll sign a contract and be invited to training camp in L.A. in October,"
Kupchak said.
Kupchak said waiting until the 58th pick was frustrating, a situation that left him with an "empty feeling"
after spending many weeks scouting talent.
He said the Lakers did make an effort to move up in the second round, but nothing transpired as the night wore on. So he said they were happy that Crawford was still available.
