Associated Press, 06/30/99
Richard Hamilton is congratulated by NBA Commissioner David Stern after being slected by the Washington Wizards. (AP Photo)
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STORRS, Conn. - Connecticut star Richard "Rip'' Hamilton, who passed up his senior year to enter the NBA draft was selected as the seventh pick Wednesday by the Washington Wizards.
Attending the draft in Washington, D.C., the 6-foot-6 forward was greeted by a huge cheer from the hometown crowd when his name was announced.
He quickly donned a Wizards cap and said he was happy he had stayed in college for his junior year. This season, he led the Huskies to the NCAA post-season title and was named the outstanding player in the Final-Four Tournament.
"It meant a lot, you know, just being coached under coach Jim Calhoun. He taught me a lot. I think if I had come out after my sophomore year I wouldn't be as mature as I am right now. So, I've grown, you know; I came back and won an NCAA championship and you can't replace something like that.''
Hamilton said he was looking forward to playing with Wizards point guard Rod Strickland and the other Washington veterans. He said he thinks he will fit in well with the Wizards, especially since he's a native of nearby Coatsville, Pa.
Hamilton was a first-team All-American his junior year. He ended his career at UConn with 2,036 points, ranking second behind Chris Smith's 2,145 points on the school's all-time scoring list.
