Blake Griffin was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the first overall pick in the NBA draft in New York.

Griffin, who became the first Oklahoma player ever to be taken number one overall, joins a team that has just two winning seasons in the last 30 years and one play-off appearance since 1997.

"I'm not worried about what's happened in the past, I'm looking forward to the future," he said.

"I'm excited about the opportunity and I'm going to try and make the best of every situation. Hopefully I can bring something they don't have."

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Hashim Thabeet with the second pick with the Connecticut centre set to become the first player from Tanzania to play in the NBA having been born in Dar-es-Salaam.

"To get this opportunity to come out here and play ball, it's what I've wanted to do all my life. For me, it's a blessing," he said.

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected James Harden third with the Arizona State guard considered one of the most complete players in the draft.

"I just want to go there and work hard and try my best to earn my spot on the team," he said.

"They're young and they're great, there's great chemistry there and I want to go there and help them out."

Guard Tyreke Evans went fourth to the Sacramento Kings while 18-year-old Spaniard Ricky Rubio, who is trying to negotiate a buy out with DKV Joventut, was the first of the Minnesota Timberwolves' back-to-back picks at five. Fellow guard Jonny Flynn followed sixth.

The Golden State Warriors selected Stephen Curry, son of former NBA star Dell Curry, seventh much to the bitter disappointment of a boisterous New York crowd who wanted the Davidson guard to go to the Knicks. They selected Jordan Hill eighth.

Brandon Jennings, who opted to play professionally in Italy with Lottomatica Roma last year instead of going to college, went to the Milwaukee Bucks 10th overall while Tyler Hansbrough, the ACC's all-time leading scorer, was the 13th pick for the Indiana Pacers.

Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Omri Casspi was picked 23rd to the Sacramento Kings, making him the first Israeli ever to be picked to play in the NBA in the first draft.