Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Murray State Sports Information
Canaan Selected By Houston Rockets In NBA Draft
6/28/2013 12:10:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Murray State's Isaiah Canaan became the 21st Racer to be an NBA Draft selection Thursday when he was taken in the second round as the 34th pick to the Houston Rockets.
The two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year will be joining a Rockets club and Head Coach Kevin McHale.
Surrounded by family and friends in his hometown of Biloxi, Miss., Canaan watched the draft on television at the gymnasium at Biloxi High School where he led the Indians to the 2009 State Championship.
Projected as a mid to late first round choice, Canaan had to endure a long night where his named wasn't called until the early second round. But that did not dampen his excitement when the news finally came that the Rockets had picked the former MSU star.
"I just wanted to hear my name called," said a relieved Canaan. "It was a long wait and a lot of people were disappointed they didn't hear my name for a while. But I'm going to go down there (to Houston) and do the best I can. I'm just looking forward to getting down there and show that I belong there."
"I was anxiously waiting," Canaan added. "God has a reason for everything and this was the time I was given and I'm going to make the best of it. I'm going to make the opportunity that has been given to me the best one. That is motivation (being picked in second round) because I was always the underdog. I went to a mid-major school (Murray State) so this doesn't change anything. I've got the opportunity to show them that I'm as good as anyone and I'm going to show that."
Racers' Head Coach Steve Prohm attended the event at Biloxi High and said he expects Canaan to have a good showing at Houston.
"I'm feeling really relieved, but very proud of what Isaiah has been able to accomplish," Prohm said. "He's got a great future ahead of him in the NBA no matter if he was the fourth pick or the 34th pick. He's going to make all us and his family extremely proud."
Canaan is the 21st Murray State player to be taken in the NBA Draft and the first since 1996 when the Portland trailblazers picked Marcus Brown in the second round as the 46th selection. The Racers' history in the NBA Draft dates all the way back to 1952 when Baltimore selected MSU great Bennie Purcell.
Murray State's Isaiah Canaan became the 21st Racer to be an NBA Draft selection Thursday when he was taken in the second round as the 34th pick to the Houston Rockets.
The two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year will be joining a Rockets club and Head Coach Kevin McHale.
Surrounded by family and friends in his hometown of Biloxi, Miss., Canaan watched the draft on television at the gymnasium at Biloxi High School where he led the Indians to the 2009 State Championship.
Projected as a mid to late first round choice, Canaan had to endure a long night where his named wasn't called until the early second round. But that did not dampen his excitement when the news finally came that the Rockets had picked the former MSU star.
"I just wanted to hear my name called," said a relieved Canaan. "It was a long wait and a lot of people were disappointed they didn't hear my name for a while. But I'm going to go down there (to Houston) and do the best I can. I'm just looking forward to getting down there and show that I belong there."
"I was anxiously waiting," Canaan added. "God has a reason for everything and this was the time I was given and I'm going to make the best of it. I'm going to make the opportunity that has been given to me the best one. That is motivation (being picked in second round) because I was always the underdog. I went to a mid-major school (Murray State) so this doesn't change anything. I've got the opportunity to show them that I'm as good as anyone and I'm going to show that."
Racers' Head Coach Steve Prohm attended the event at Biloxi High and said he expects Canaan to have a good showing at Houston.
"I'm feeling really relieved, but very proud of what Isaiah has been able to accomplish," Prohm said. "He's got a great future ahead of him in the NBA no matter if he was the fourth pick or the 34th pick. He's going to make all us and his family extremely proud."
Canaan is the 21st Murray State player to be taken in the NBA Draft and the first since 1996 when the Portland trailblazers picked Marcus Brown in the second round as the 46th selection. The Racers' history in the NBA Draft dates all the way back to 1952 when Baltimore selected MSU great Bennie Purcell.
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