June 28, 2007
IOWA CITY – University of Iowa senior Adam Haluska was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA Draft Thursday night. Haluska was the 43rd pick overall and the 13th pick in the second round.
“This is such an exciting night,” Haluska said. “It was a childhood dream to play in the NBA. I was able to play basketball at a high level in college and being drafted is a dream come true.”
Haluska said he was watching the draft with family at his fiancee’s house when his name flashed across the television.
“We just went crazy,” Haluska said. “My family and her family was there. It was a great feeling. I’m just trying to let everything set in. My phone was ringing so much it stopped working.”
Haluska said the next step is the NBA summer league in Las Vegas.
“I talked to some people from New Orleans briefly and they congratulated me,” Haluska said. “They are extremely busy tonight, but it was nice to hear from them. I know it’s a lot of hard work ahead with the summer league, but I can’t wait.”
The Carroll, IA, native led the Big Ten in scoring last season and was a first team all-Big Ten selection. Haluska was also an Associated Press honorable mention all-American and was named the Academic all-American of the Year.
Haluska is the first Iowa player drafted since 1999 and is the highest draft pick since 1998, when Ricky Davis was chosen by Charlotte as the 21st pick in the first round.