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UK’s John Wall on the Cover of ESPN The Magazine’s 2010 NBA Draft Preview

If pro basketball players had a chance to draft their ideal future teammates in this year’s NBA draft, who would they choose? The current issue of ESPN The Magazine, on newsstands now, asked some pros that exact question and compiled the results to create The Mag’s second annual players-only mock draft. It’s no surprise the first pick is former University of Kentucky point guard—and this issue’s cover athlete—John Wall, the 19-year-old potential franchise changer. But before he gets drafted to the big leagues, Wall agreed to share some little-known facts—including his “weird” pregame meal and his various nicknames—with ESPN The Magazine writer Elena Bergeron in “I Got It From Magic.”

Cover | Video

Players’ top 10 picks in the mock NBA draft:

1. John Wall (Kentucky) to the Washington Wizards—chosen by Andray Blatche
2. Derrick Favor (Georgia Tech) to the Philadelphia 76ers—chosen by Thaddeus Young
3. Evan Turner (Ohio State) to the New Jersey Nets—chosen by Devin Harris
4. Wesley Johnson (Syracuse) to the Minnesota Timberwolves—chosen by Kevin Love
5. DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings) to the Sacramento Kings—chosen by Tyreke Evans
6. Greg Monroe (Georgetown) to the Golden State Warriors—chosen by Monta Ellis
7. Cole Aldrich (Kansas) to the Detroit Pistons—chosen by DaJuan Summers
8. Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest) to the Los Angeles Clippers—chosen by Eric Gordon
9. Ekpe Udoh (Baylor) to the Utah Jazz—chosen by Kyle Korver
10. Ed Davis (North Carolina) to the Indiana Pacers—chosen by Danny Granger

Also in ESPN The Magazine’s 2010 NBA Draft Preview, thirty potential draftees participated in our confidential survey where they dished on everything from which team has the toughest workout to which player they would most want to dunk on, in “NBA Draft Confidential: The Poll That Hits The Lottery.”

Also in ESPN The Magazine:

Mic Check (Music/Multi-Sport)

As more and more athletes hit the studio, we have to ask: What’s up with all the noise? By Sam Alipour – Link

Crossover Artists (Music/Multi-Sport)

Our index of music-meets-sports data gives a whole new meaning to the word “playlist.”

Who Put This S#%T On? (Music/Multi-Sport)

When it comes to tunes in the locker room, every jock is a critic. By Sam Alipour and Patrick Cain – Link

You’ve Been Served (MLB)

Rockies hurler Ubaldo Jimenez has punished MLB hitters this season. His victims would like a little payback. By Tim Keown – Link

The Art of Turning Right (NASCAR)

Where does a NASCAR driver turn for tips on navigating a road course? Racing guru Bob Bondurant. By Eric Morse – Video | Link

Future Shock (Tennis)

She’s only 11, but tennis phenom Maria Shishkina is already a heavy hitter. By Lindsay Berra – Link

A World Away (Soccer)

Outside South Africa’s stadiums, soccer lives on in empty lots, weedy fields and dusty roads. Plus: We take the predictive power of World Cup metrics to the Next Level.

Tall Order (NHL)

When it comes to goalies, NHL scouts love height. But smaller guys might be bigger prizes. By Gare Joyce – Link

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Media Contact: Crystal Howard, ESPN PR, 212-515-1109