Third pick Beal bound for Washington

Former Florida guard Bradley Beal is heading to the nation's capital.

Beal was taken as the third overall pick in the NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, selected behind the Kentucky duo of Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

In Washington, the 6-foot-4 Beal will be teamed up with dynamic former Kentucky point guard John Wall in the backcourt.

“I just need to stay confident,” Beal told ESPN shortly after he was drafted. “My game will always be there to speak for itself.”

Beal is Florida's 11th first-round draft pick in school history. He is UF's first lottery pick since Al Horford (3rd overall, Atlanta Hawks), Corey Brewer (7th overall, Minnesota Timberwolves) and Joakim Noah (9th overall, Chicago Bulls) all were taken within the first 14 picks of the 2007 draft.

Beal matched Horford as the second-highest drafted Gator in school history behind Neal Walk (2nd overall, Phoenix Suns, 1969). He left Florida after just one season in which he averaged 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds.


“It was really tough to give (college) up, but I knew I had to chase my dream,” Beal said.