Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech's Deron Washington was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
Washington, a forward from New Orleans, La., was selected with the 29th pick of the second round (59th pick overall) in the draft by the Pistons. Washington becomes the first Hokie selected in the NBA Draft since Eddie Lucas was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 58th pick in the 1999 draft.
A four-year starter for the Hokies, Washington completed his Virginia Tech career 16th in career scoring, sixth in career blocked shots and 10th in career steals. He is one of three Hokies ever to record 1,300 points, 600 rebounds, 100 steals and 100 blocked shots in their Virginia Tech careers. He was honorable mention All-ACC and honorable mention ACC All-Defensive team selection in 2008.
Washington helped lead the Hokies to a 21-14 record and a fourth place finish in the ACC in the 2007-08 season. Tech advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2008 NIT. He concluded his Tech career with a 23-point performance in front of a sellout crowd at Cassell Coliseum in the quarterfinals of the NIT. He was second on the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg) as a senior for the Hokies. He was also selected to participate in the Slam Dunk competition at the 2008 Final Four in San Antonio.
Washington becomes the second Hokie selected by the Pistons, joining Russell Davis, who was selected with in 90th pick in the 1976 draft.
Washington was one of four former ACC players selected in the two rounds of this year's draft. No ACC team had multiple players drafted in 2008.