Four of top eight picks in 2012 NBA Draft are event alumni, including No. 3 pick Bradley Beal
Now in its seventh year, the Under Armour Elite 24 has established itself as a premier high school basketball event where players not only battle for bragging rights and streetball nicknames, but use the event's platform as a springboard to the highest level of the game.
Bradley Beal, an athletic shooting guard from Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.) who starred for one season at the University of Florida, was the highest draft pick among event alumni Thursday night. Selected No. 3 overall by the Washington Wizards, the 2011 Gatorade National Player of the Year becomes the fifth top three NBA Draft pick who played in a previous Under Armour Elite 24 game.
Nine former Under Armour Elite 24 participants were chosen in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, breaking the previous record of eight set in 2011.
Two former high school teammates who played in the event went in the first round: Terrence Ross (No. 8) and Terrence Jones (No. 18). The duo led Jefferson (Portland, Ore.) to the 2008 Class 5A state title. The next season, Ross transferred to Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) while Jones eventually led Jefferson to three consecutive state titles.
Ten players who participated in the 2009 game in the Bronx, N.Y., were drafted Thursday night. Originally slated for world-famous Rucker Park in Harlem, inclement weather forced the game indoors to the famed Gauchos' Gym.
For the third consecutive year, the Under Armour Elite 24 will be held at the Venice Beach Courts in Southern California. The game is scheduled to tip-off Aug. 25 on ESPNU (7pm ET). A slam dunk contest, also on ESPNU, precedes it Aug. 24 (7pm ET).
History shows there's a good chance a handful of players wowing the Venice Boardwalk crowd later this summer will one day be lottery picks.
ELITE 24 Alumni Drafted to the NBA
Draft No. -- Name (Elite 24), NBA Team (Year Drafted)*
No. 1 -- Kyrie Irving (2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2011)
No. 1 -- John Wall (2008), Washington Wizards (2010)
No. 2 -- Michael Beasley (2006), Miami Heat (2008)
No. 3 -- Bradley Beal (2010), Washington Wizards (2012)
No. 3 -- Derrick Favors (2008), New Jersey Nets (2010)
No. 4 -- Dion Waiters (2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2012)
No. 4 -- Tristan Thompson (2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2011)
No. 4 -- Tyreke Evans (2006-07), Sacramento Kings (2009)
No. 5 -- Kevin Love (2006), Memphis Grizzlies (2008)
No. 7 -- Harrison Barnes (2009), Golden State Warriors (2012)
No. 8 -- Terrence Ross (2009), Washington Wizards (2012)
No. 8 -- Brandon Knight (2008), Detroit Pistons (2011)
No. 9 -- Kemba Walker (2007), Charlotte Bobcats (2011)
No. 9 -- DeMar DeRozan (2007), Toronto Raptors (2009)
No. 10 -- Austin Rivers (2009-10), New Orleans Hornets (2012)
No. 10 -- Brandon Jennings (2006-07), Milwaukee Bucks (2009)
No. 11 -- Cole Aldrich (2006), New Orleans Hornets (2010)
No. 11 -- Jerryd Bayless (2006), Indiana Pacers (2008)
No. 12 -- Xavier Henry (2007-08), Memphis Grizzlies (2010)
No. 13 -- Kendall Marshall (2009), Phoenix Suns (2012)
No. 13 -- Ed Davis (2007), Toronto Raptors (2010)
No. 14 -- Anthony Randolph (2006), Golden State Warriors (2008)
No. 16 -- Luke Babbitt (2007), Minnesota Timberwolves (2010)
No. 17 -- Jrue Holiday (2007), Philadelphia 76ers (2009)
No. 18 -- Terrence Jones (2009), Houston Rockets (2012)
No. 19 -- Tobias Harris (2009), Charlotte Bobcats (2011)
No. 19 -- J.J. Hickson (2006), Cleveland Cavaliers (2008)
No. 21 -- Jared Sullinger (2009), Boston Celtics (2012)
No. 21 -- Nolan Smith (2006), Portland Trailblazers (2011)
No. 24 -- B.J. Mullens (2007), Dallas Mavericks (2009)
No. 25 -- Tony Wroten Jr. (2008-09), Memphis Grizzlies (2012)
No. 26 -- Jordan Hamilton (2008), Dallas Mavericks (2011)
No. 28 -- Donte Greene (2006), Memphis Grizzlies (2008)
No. 29 -- Cory Joseph (2009), San Antonio Spurs (2011)
No. 33 -- Kyle Singler (2006), Detroit Pistons (2011)
No. 35 -- DeAndre Jordan (2006), L.A. Clippers (2008)
No. 37 -- Trey Thompkins (2007), L.A. Clippers (2011)
No. 38 -- Quincy Miller (2010), Denver Nuggets (2012)
No. 39 -- Jeremy Tyler (2008), Charlotte Bobcats (2011)
No. 40 -- Will Barton (2009), Portland Trail Blazers (2012)
No. 40 -- Lance Stephenson (2006-08), Indiana Pacers (2010)
No. 42 -- Doron Lamb (2008-09), Milwaukee Bucks (2012)
No. 43 -- Devin Ebanks (2007-08), L.A. Lakers (2010)
No. 49 -- Josh Selby (2009), Memphis Grizzlies (2011)
*Players in bold drafted this year
Ronnie Flores is a senior editor for ESPNHS. He can be reached at ronnie.flores@espn.com. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonFloresESPN