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Hornets select Kentucky forward P.J. Washington with No. 12 pick in NBA Draft

Washington was a third-team All-American in his sophomore season at Kentucky, averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds per game.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets used their first-round pick on Kentucky forward P.J. Washington.

Washington was named third-team All-American after a sophomore season with the Wildcats in which he averaged 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

He shot 54.9 percent from two, and 42.3 percent from three.

The Dallas native, who is 6-foot-8, 228-pounds, remained in school after his freshman season after exploring the draft process.

"He made a huge jump from his freshman year to his sophomore year," said Charlotte GM Mitch Kupchak. "If he continues to make that kind of jump he'll be a good player in this league for a long time."

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Kupchak acknowledged that the Hornets explored making a trade for a better pick, and also that UNC Forward Nassir Little was among a group of players they liked, before ultimately choosing Washington.

"Those kinds of decisions are not made during the draft," Kupchak said. "Those decisions are made before the draft rolls around. But (Little) was right in the mix, as were three or four other players."

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