DRAFT PICKS:
Roy Hibbert, C, 7-2, Georgetown -- Drafted by Toronto but will be sent to the Pacers as part of the Jermaine O'Neal trade when it becomes finalized July 9. Hibbert is considered a fundamentally sound big man who is known more for his defense than his offense. He will immediately help the Pacers' horrendous defense. Brandon Rush, G/F, 6-6, Kansas -- Was drafted by Portland at No. 13 but sent to the Pacers for Jerryd Bayless and forward Ike Diogu. Rush can shoot from long distance, he's a good rebounder and can play multiple positions. He'll team with Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy to give the Pacers a solid three-man rotation at the swingman spot.
PLAYER NOTES:
--Swingman Danny Granger donated $500,000 to the University of New Mexico's athletic department to help toward the $60 million renovation of The Pit, the Lobo's home arena.
The arena's new locker room will be named after Granger, pending approval by administrators.
"I want to give something back to the school because I'm a Lobo fanatic and this is a great way for me to do that," said Granger, who spent two seasons at New Mexico.
--Point guard Andre Owens, who started seven games last season for the Pacers, signed a one-year contract with the European team Red Star of the Adriatic League.
Owens averaged 4.0 points and 1.5 assists in 31 games in his only season with the Pacers.
--Travis Diener's reward for having a 4.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season is a demotion to third-string point guard.
The addition of T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack, two proven point guards, means Diener, a part-time starter last season, will have a difficult time earning minutes in the rotation this season.
Diener's better suited to be the third point guard on the roster because his size and lack of speed puts the Pacers in a tough position defensively.
