In a controversial selection, Duke PF and Christ School alum Miles Plumlee is a first-round NBA draft pick. Generally expected to be a second-round pick, Plumlee was 26th selected in the draft.
According to the AC-T, as a first-round pick Plumlee is guaranteed a two-year contract at around $900K annually. He is 23 years old.
The Washington Post has the story:
Larry Bird has never cared what people thought of his decisions.
It should be no surprise that he went against the grain once more. In his final draft as president of the Indiana Pacers, Bird selected Duke power forward Miles Plumlee with the 26th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, adding another tough player to their rugged, young roster.
Fans condemned the selection on Twitter, and Bird figures the experts will give the team low draft grades.
“It’s not a sexy pick by any means, but people who watch us play and see how he fits in, they’ll finally get it,” Bird said.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel had a comeback for the critics.
“Trust Larry Bird’s track record,” he said.
Plumlee is one of three athletically gifted brothers–Miles, Marshall and Mason–who all played ball for Christ School.