The Seattle Sonics selected UCLA guard Russell Westbrook with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. With the team?s other first-round selection (24th overall), the Sonics selected Serge Ibaka from the Congo.

In a second-round trade, the Sonics selected Walter Sharpe from the University of Alabama-Birmingham with the 32nd pick and then traded Sharpe and the No. 46 overall pick (Trent Plaisted ? BYU) to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for D.J. White, who was selected No. 29 overall in the first round by the Pistons.

?We?re very happy with our draft tonight,? said Sonics General Manager Sam Presti. ?We feel that we have added players who will be a part of our foundation as we move forward. We?re confident Russell Westbrook?s skills will fit with what we?re building here. He is a defensive-minded player with a tremendous blend of talent and work ethic.?

?Serge is a player that we feel has tremendous potential. He brings energy and athleticism to the floor as well as the ability to stretch the defense as shooter.?

As a sophomore at UCLA, Westbrook was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, earned Third Team All Pac-10 honors, and was named to the league All-Defensive Team. After logging 1,318 minutes, Westbrook set UCLA?s single season record for minutes played. Westbrook led the team in assists (4.3 apg) while also ranking third in scoring (12.7 ppg). A Long Beach native, Westbrook graduated from Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California.  

Ibaka grew up playing in his native Congo with the Avenir du Rail club. Last season competing in Spain, Ibaka averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for C.B. L?Hospitalet LEB Gold.

White spent four collegiate seasons at the University of Indiana and averaged 14.6 points for the Hoosiers and earned Consensus Second Team All-America honors as a senior. He was also named Big Ten Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors from the media and league coaches.

?D.J. White is a blue collar player,? Presti said. ?He is a worker and someone that has had a tremendous college career.?

The Sonics completed their 2008 Draft by selecting Devon Hardin from the University of California with the No. 50 overall pick and Sasha Kaun from the University of Kansas at No. 56 overall. Hardin earned Honorable Mention All-PAC-10 honors as a sophomore and finished his collegiate career as Cal?s second all-time leading shot blocker with 132 blocked shots. The Sonics later traded Kaun to Cleveland for cash considerations.