NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Washington Wizards will be hoping to change the fortunes of their success-starved franchise when they make the first overall choice in the 2010 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
An explosive guard during his one season at Kentucky, Wall could bring instant excitement to a Wizards team beset by injuries and the legal troubles of former All-Star Gilbert Arenas.
Wall is rated above other athletes like Ohio State guard Evan Turner, a versatile perimeter player who has drawn comparisons to Brandon Roy of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Forward Wesley Johnson of Syracuse is another sought-after perimeter player in a draft that also features capable big men.
Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech), DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky), Ed Davis (North Carolina), Hassan Whiteside (Marshall) and Lithuania's Donatas Motiejunas are inside players expected to be early choices.
Among the teams lining up to land their services in the two-round event are the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the second pick of the draft, followed by the New Jersey Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, who will make three first-round selections.
The Sacramento Kings will pick fifth, followed by the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers.
The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics will choose 19th in the first round while the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers do not have a first-round selection.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Steve Ginsburg)
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.