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Key facts and info about the 2006 NBA Draft:

As a result of the new collective bargaining agreement, a domestic player must be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year in which the Draft is held, and at least one NBA season has elapsed since the player’s graduation from high school, for him to be draft eligible. All U.S. players are automatically eligible upon the end of their college eligibility. International players must be at least 19 during the calendar year of the Draft.

There are currently 37 collegiate and 10 international prospects that are early entry candidates for the 2006 draft. Forty-seven of the 94 players who applied for early entry withdrew their names.

Location

Since 1992, the NBA Draft has been held in 10 different cities including New York, Portland, Ore., Detroit, Indianapolis, Toronto, East Rutherford, N.J., Charlotte, N.C., Vancouver, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis. For the past five years, the Draft has been held at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

2006 Highlights

Depth - NBA GM’s describe this draft as deep in talent. Several Honorable Mention All-Americans are expected to be available throughout the second round, and it should be noted that 14 players that weren’t drafted in 2005 spent time in the NBA this past season.

Unpredictability - The consensus opinion is that as many as five players (LaMarcus Aldridge, Tyrus Thomas, Rudy Gay, Adam Morrison and Andrea Bargnani) could be chosen with the top overall pick.

Experience - Of the 30 players selected in the first round in 2005, eighteen had at least three years of experience on the collegiate level. Twenty-two went to college for at least two years. The draft is skewing older, which bodes well for the league.

Name Recognition - Many of this year’s top prospects are coming off sensational college seasons and noteworthy performances on the grand stage of the NCAA Tournament. Tyrus Thomas (LSU), LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas), Adam Morrison (Gonzaga), Rudy Gay (Connecticut), Rodney Carney (Memphis), Brandon Roy (Washington), Randy Foye (Villanova), J.J. Redick (Duke), Shelden Williams (Duke) and Marcus Williams (Connecticut) all made their mark on the collegiate level this past season, contributed to winning college programs and come into the NBA with positive name recognition.

Drafting With D-League In Mind - Of the 60 players that were drafted in 2005, fifteen spent time in D-League this season, the first in which NBA teams were allowed to send players down. They ranged from the sixth overall pick (Martell Webster) to the 60th pick (Alex Acker). This number figures to increase this season.

Year of the Quick Turnaround - It’s been well documented how the Chicago Bulls, who made the playoffs in 2006, own the Knicks’ No. 2 pick. Throughout the lottery, there are teams like Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle, Houston, Golden State, Boston, Minnesota and New Orleans that either didn’t miss the playoffs by very much, or were perennial playoff teams that had off years due to injuries and the like.

International intrigue - In the past four drafts, 76 international prospects were selected overall including 28 in the first round (23 percent). Six of the 24 players who played in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game were born outside the U.S. This year, a number of prospects are being billed as potential first rounders, including Andrea Bargnani of Italy.

History

Building through the Draft. The NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs won the Lottery in 1997 and used their No. 1 pick to tab Wake Forest's Tim Duncan as the organization's cornerstone. Two years later they used one of the last selections of the 1999 Draft to make Argentina's Manu Ginobili the 57th overall pick. In 2001, they used the 28th pick on France's Tony Parker. And last June, San Antonio again had the 28th pick and chose Slovenia's Beno Udrih.

Chicago, Portland, N.O./Oklahoma City, New York, New Jersey and Phoenix each have two first round picks in this year's draft. Last year, Charlotte selected Raymond Felton (5th overall) and Sean May (13th); Denver selected Julius Hodge (20th) and Jarrett Jack (22nd); New York selected Channing Frye (8th) and David Lee (30th); Toronto selected Charlie Villanueva (7th) and Joey Graham (16th); and Utah selected Deron Williams (3rd). Portland made a draft day trade and added Martell Webster (6th) and Linas Kleiza (27th).

Second-round picks have become a hot commodity in recent years, as clever NBA general managers have obtained very good players without the three-year contract commitment for first-rounders. Among the quality players chosen in the second round in recent years are: Gilbert Arenas (31st overall, 2001), Carlos Boozer (35th, 2002), Manu Ginobili (57th, 1999), Kyle Korver (51st, 2003); Mehmet Okur (38th, 2001); Michael Redd (43rd, 2000); Anderson Varejao (30th, 2004); and Chris Duhon (38th, 2004).

In the last four NBA drafts, 76 international players were selected among the 240 spots available, including 28 in the first-round. Six of the 24 players who played in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game were born outside the U.S.