Hornets like Wright's versatility
 

Posted by Pierce W. Huff

The Hornets didn't have a pre-draft workout with Kansas forward Julian Wright, because the player and his agent expected him to be chosen high in the NBA draft, but when Wright fell in the draft the team found his "versatility" too good to pass up Thursday.

That's why New Orleans selected Wright, who is 6 feet 8, 225 pounds, at No. 13 with their first pick in the NBA draft.

"We've got the ability to utilize him in a lot of different ways," Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower told the crowd in the New Orleans Arena at the team's draft party.

Bower also told the crowd that Wright has the ability to play a lot of different positions ranging from shooting guard to power forward.

Hornets Coach Byron Scott called Wright "a poor man's Magic Johnson," referring to his old teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers and a man considered by many to be one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.


Wright was honorable mention All-America by the Associated Press and was named to the All-Big 12 first team last season.

"I think we've added a quality young man to our franchise," Bower said.