K-State star Beasley, 2 Jayhawks go in first round

Michael Beasley, who revitalized Kansas State’s basketball program in one brilliant season, was the overall No. 2 pick in an NBA draft that turned into a huge disappointment for the Sunflower State’s second-most famous college player.
    Guard Mario Chalmers, whose 3-point shot with 2 seconds left capped Kansas’ amazing comeback against Memphis in the NCAA championship game, failed to join teammates Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur as first-round picks.
    Some draft projections had the 6-foot-1 Chalmers as high as 12th overall. But he sat and waited until Minnesota finally took him in the second round, the 35th player drafted overall.
    Rush was the first Jayhawk picked, taken by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 13th selection overall. A trade a short time later sent him to Indianapolis, where the 6-6 guard could be reunited with older brother Kareem. Kareem played for Indianapolis last year but is now a free agent.
    Almost as deflated as Chalmers was Arthur, the Jayhawks’ 6-9 forward. Expected to go high in the first round, Arthur’s stock apparently plummeted because of concerns that he could have a kidney issue.
    He was finally taken by New Orleans as the 27th pick. A deal worked out before the draft will send him to Portland.
    “I was nervous, just waiting patiently and trying to see what team would pick me up,” Arthur said.
    His health, he said, “is fine.”
    “I took another blood test in Washington and everything came up fine,” he said. “But everything is cool. “
    The crowd at Madison Square Garden, which had spent much of the night booing and jeering, gave Arthur a tremendous ovation when he finally was taken.
    The television cameras caught Sandra Arthur weeping when her son’s name was finally called.
    “I expected him to go sooner and I could see anticipation in him and the hurt that he may not go in this round,” she said. “He’s going to do well. He always does well. You’ll see when he gets on the court.”
    Chalmers, after making what many hail as the biggest shot in Kansas’ sto-