The Toronto Raptors made Italy's Andrea Bargnani the first European ever selected with the first overall choice in the National Basketball Association draft.

The 20-year-old 7-footer (2.1m), already has three years in the Italian League under his belt as a forward for Benetton Treviso.

He had been considered a likely option for Toronto since last week, when Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo tabbed Benetton Treviso executive Maurizio Gherardini as vice president and assistant general manager.

"It is unbelievable I feel like I'm dreaming," said Bargnani," who averaged 11.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 21.7 minutes per game in his third season with Benetton.

He shot 57.8 percent from the field, including 36.9 percent on 3-pointers.

Like many taller European players, Bargnani has an excellent catch-and-shoot ability to about 20 feet.

Unlike many European big men, Bargnani loves to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket.

Bargnani joined China's Yao Ming (2002) as the only pure international players to be taken with the top overall pick.

Australian Andrew Bogut was selected first by Milwaukee in last year's draft, but had two years of US college experience as well as international experience.

Bargnani gives yet more international flavor to the Raptors. Since Colangelo took over, he has traded for Slovenian center Rasho Nesterovic and received assurances from Spanish forward Jorge Garbajosa that he would join the team.
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(AFP June 29, 2006)