062311-Enes_Kanter (audio file of Kanter talking)

Enes Kanter first addressed his former team’s fans, thanking UK for continually supporting him even as he was unable to actually play. Then he turned to his future team’s fans.

“Be ready Utah Jazz fans,” said Kanter, picked third overall by Utah. “Undertaker is coming.”

Kanter was drafted behind Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams. He will join a frontcourt that includes Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors. In his TV interview, Kanter thanked UK fans for their continual support throughout the year even as he was unable to play.

“First of all, I felt great because it’s the Utah Jazz. I have family there. Like Mehmet Okur plays there too, so it’s kind of like my family. So I was very happy.”

Brandon Knight, projected as high as third and generally thought to go no lower than seventh in most mock drafts, slid to eighth and went to Detroit. Knight said on his TV interview he hadn’t worked out for Detroit before the draft.

The players picked ahead of him, in order, included Jonas Valancuinas (5 to Toronto), Jan Vesely (6 to Washington), and Bismack Biyombo (7 to Charlotte). In his interview after leaving the stage, Knight said that “from now on it’s about making people pay who passed upon me. That’s really what it’s about,” according to Rick Bozich.

Josh Harrellson became the third UK player picked at No. 45, by the New York Knicks (in a trade to the New Orleans Hornets, where the Knicks sent the NBA-owned Hornets $1 million).

DeAndre Liggins rounded out the night by getting selected at No. 53 by the Orlando Magic.