Ewing selected in 2nd round of draft

The winningest player in college basketball last season was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers during the second round of Tuesday night's NBA draft.

Daniel Ewing, who earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2005, was the 32nd overall pick and the second selection in the second round. He is expected to serve as Los Angeles' reserve point guard and occasionally play shooting guard.

"It was really a relief," Ewing said. "It's really a big relief and a blessing just to have this opportunity."

The Missouri City, Texas, native, who watched the draft alongside friends and family at his home, will join a Clippers team full of players with Duke ties.

Former Blue Devils Elton Brand and Corey Maggette are major contributors for Los Angeles, and Ewing is expected to backup Shaun Livingston, who committed to play for Duke before deciding to enter the NBA straight out of high school in 2004. The team's coach, Mike Dunleavy, Sr., is the father of former Blue Devil Mike Dunleavy, Jr., who played alongside Ewing in 2002.

"I have a chance to play on an extremely talented team that is a playoff contender," Ewing said. "It is a good situation to be in, especially with some familiar faces on the team that can help me with the transition from college to the NBA."

Ewing, who averaged more than 15 points and four assists as a senior, admitted he was a little disappointed that he did not make the first round, but said "it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll make the team." Unlike players selected in the first round, those selected in the second round are not guaranteed contracts.

Over the past few seasons, Duke has had a strong history of successful second round selections. In 2002 Carlos Boozer was chosen 35th overall and last season Chris Duhon was picked 38th. Boozer is averaging 17.8 points per game with the Utah Jazz; Duhon is averaging 5.9 points per contest with the Chicago Bulls.