THE DRAFT: Weaver goes to Charlotte

KYLE WEAVER OF WASHINGTON STATE was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats with the eight pick in the second round, and No. 38 overall pick, Thursday in the NBA Draft. Weaver began his collegiate career under one of the college game's most highly regarded teachers in Dick Bennett and now he'll play for Larry Brown, already in the Hall of Fame and regarded as one of pro basketball's top teachers.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas had praise aplenty for Weaver after Brown and the Bobcats made the Cougar swingman the eighth pick in Round Two.

"He can really fill up a stat sheet," said Bilas. "He's a very, very good passer -- he's a really good rebounder. He's thin, but he's got really good length.

"I think his greatest strength is as a defender. I think there are times when he's going to be able to bring the ball up and initiate offensively -- I don't think he's a point guard by any stretch but I think he can handle it well enough that he can do that for you."

Weaver was named to the Pac-10 All-Defensive Team his senior season, leading WSU in steals with 60. He ranked second on the team in rebounding (184), scoring (12.4 per game) and assists (151).

He led Washington State in steals 19 times during the 2007-08 season, blocked shots 13 times, scoring seven times, rebounding eight times, assists 17 times and logged 23 double-figure scoring games (including the final six games of the season) and three 20-plus point games (the only three of his career).

"I really love his defensive ability and his defensive potential," said Bilas. Weaver becomes the first Cougar to be drafted since Mark Hendrickson went to the 76ers in the second round, with the 31st overall pick, in 1996.