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Last updated on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Pacers have signed first round draft picks Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert. The players were introduced at a press conference on Tuesday.
Rush, who spent three seasons at Kansas, was the 13th overall pick and will make about $1.5 million dollars in his rookie season, while Hibbert, a 7-foot-2 center from Georgetown who was the 17th pick, will make about $1.2 million dollars this season.
Both players were acquired in draft day trades. The 6-foot-7 rush was picked up in a trade with the Portland Trailblazers that also brought point guard Jarrett Jack and forward Josh McRoberts to Indianapolis. Hibbert was a part of the trade that sent Jermaine O'neal to Toronto and also brought center Rasho Nesterovic to the Pacers.
Indiana coach Jim O'brien says he expects Rush and Hibbert to contend for starting spots this coming season. Rush averaged 13.3 points for the national champion Jayhawks this season, while Hibbert averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and over two blocks per game as a Georgetown senior.
Because they were part of draft day trades that didn't become official until July 9, Rush and Hibbert were not allowed to play for the Pacers' summer league team last week in Orlando.
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