Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By John Buhler

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 24: New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul #3 looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena on March 24, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The New Orleans won 121-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 24: New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul #3 looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena on March 24, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The New Orleans won 121-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Julian Wright, New Orleans Hornets
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Back in 2007, small forward Julian Wright was on the fence about turning pro or returning to the Kansas Jayhawks for his junior season. He had just been named a third-team All-American, but was garnering first-round hype in NBA Draft circles. Wright went pro in 2007, as the Hornets used their No. 13 overall pick on him that summer.

Kansas would go on to win the 2008 national title in what would have been his junior season in Lawrence. While he would be on two teams that Chris Paul led to the playoffs in New Orleans, Wright would not have the NBA success that merited leaving school two years early. After the 2010-11 NBA season, he was playing in the D-League and then overseas before he hit his mid-20s.

Wright did play his first three professional seasons with the Hornets. He averaged 4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 12.8 minutes per ball game. His best season with the Hornets came in 2008-09 when he averaged 4.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 14.3 minutes per contest. However, he was never more than a low-end rotational player in the NBA for the Hornets.

Before the 2010-11 NBA season, he would be traded to the Toronto Raptors for shooting guard Marco Belinelli, who would play two seasons in New Orleans. Wright is still playing overseas, most recently in Italy for Pallacanestro Reggiana. Given that he is in his early 30s, Wright could continue to play overseas for years to come.