Duke's Evans, Brown, UNC's Veesaar taken in 2nd round of NBA Draft

NEW YORK (WTVD) -- Isaiah Evans arrived at the NBA draft expecting to become a first-round pick after a two-year stay at Duke. Instead, he sat through a difficult Tuesday night in the green room without hearing his name called by the league commissioner to join him on the stage in New York.

The 6-foot-6, 186-pound Evans finally heard his name called Wednesday night, becoming the 33rd overall pick and the third player selected in the second round.

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The Brooklyn Nets took Evans after the Knicks and the Grizzlies took Bruce Thornton and Richie Saunders, respectively. But Evans is heading to Minnesota, coming after the Nets selected him with a pick that will be shipped to the Timberwolves as part of a pre-draft trade.



Evans wasn't among the list of attending prospects released by the NBA for Round 2. His Duke teammate, Maliq Brown, waited a bit longer but was chosen with the 14th pick (No. 44 overall) by the San Antonio Spurs.



North Carolina big man Henri Veesaar waited until the 22nd pick to hear his name. The 52nd overall pick will be with the Atlanta Hawks after the Los Angeles Clippers drafted and then traded him.



Evans had a seat in the green room - an honor designated for likely first-round picks - and was shown on the ESPN broadcast at a table featuring a gold basketball sporting his name. He wore a dark double-breasted suit featuring millions of dollars in diamonds between a broach and a chain, according to the New York Post.

He was considered a first-round prospect before he elevated his game last year, averaging 15 points while shooting 38% on 3s in two seasons. He had a highlight moment with a clutch final-minute winner to beat reigning national champion Florida, and the most pressing concern was a need to add strength to a 6-foot-6, 186-pound frame to handle physical play.



Unfortunately, Evans was left waiting.

Veesaar, a fourth-year junior from Estonia, had a breakout year (17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds) for the Tar Heels after transferring from Arizona.

Veesaar has a desired skillset by NBA execs: a big man (6-11, 227) with range. He shot 42.6% on 3s (40 of 94) at UNC, coming after shooting just 31.6% (19 of 60) from behind the arc in two seasons at Arizona. He earned an "Excellent" rating from Synergy for his catch-and-shoot jumper and runs the floor well.

- The Associated Press contributed.