Kirk Hinrich is well aware that the race issue follows every step of his basketball career.

"I think the big thing with me is just trying to overcome the stereotypes of being the white point guard," he said recently in the Topeka (Kan.) Capital Journal. "Every place I've been (for predraft workouts), they said they were surprised at how athletic I've been."

In contrast, Bulls general manager John Paxson probably surprised most fans by choosing the Kansas guard with the No. 7 overall pick of Thursday's NBA draft.

Former Kansas star Danny Manning felt race was a significant issue as Hinrich prepared for the draft. Manning said several NBA associates asked him whether Hinrich was athletic enough to play in the league.

"I can't believe they're asking me that question," Manning said in the Capital Journal. "That's a no-brainer."

There haven't been many white guards chosen among the top seven picks of the NBA draft in recent years. Two wing players, Mike Miller (No. 5 in 2000) and Wally Szczerbiak (No. 6 in 1999), went in the top 10.

But the last true guard to go this high was Jason Williams at No. 7 in 1998. Before that, it was Bobby Hurley at No. 7 in 1993.

"Kirk is a combination guard, in my opinion, because physically he's athletic enough to guard some twos and ones, and he shoots well enough to play the two," Manning said.