2003 NBA Draft

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Golden State Warriors drafted Mickael Pietrus, a highly rated foreign player from France, and Derrick Zimmerman, a point guard from Mississippi State, in this evening's NBA Draft. The league's annual draft took place in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, with the Warriors basketball operations staff - led by General Manager Garry St. Jean - operating from the team's offices in downtown Oakland.

With the 11th overall pick in the draft, Golden State tabbed the 21-year-old Pietrus, who is currently playing his fourth season for Pau Orthez in France's top professional league. The 6-6, 200 pound guard/forward has played in France's Pro A League All-Star Game in each of the past three seasons and is currently a member of France's National Team. This season, he averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 23 games, while helping lead his team to the currently on-going league championship series. Over 103 career regular season games, Pietrus has averaged 8.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists, while shooting 51.4% from the field, 69.8% from the free throw line and 37.5% from three-point range.

"We believe that we selected the best player available on the board," St. Jean said. "Mickael is an exceptional athlete who defends well, on and off the ball. We think he has a great determination about him to grow and be a great NBA player."

Using the 40th overall pick in the draft (11th in the second round), Golden State selected point guard Derrick Zimmerman, a four-year college player at Mississippi State. Over his four-year career, the Monroe, LA, native averaged 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.61 steals in 127 games. He established a school record with 514 career assists, while also posting a school-best in games played. A two-time team captain and two time SEC All-Tournament selection, Zimmerman helped lead the bulldogs to an 80-47 record during his career, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. He started 66 straight games over his junior and senior seasons, earning Third Team All-SEC honors following both campaigns.

"Derrick has exceptional speed and quickness, and at 6-2 has NBA point guard size," St. Jean said. "Our scouts have seen him play quite a bit, and he was one of the best players at the Chicago Pre-Draft camp. He can really run an offense and is a quality defender."


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