Published: June 26, 2008 11:35 pm      

Mayo goes No. 3 in NBA draft; Alexander at No. 8

NEW YORK — O.J. Mayo and Joe Alexander have been selected as high picks in the first round of the NBA draft.

Southern California’s Mayo was selected Thursday by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the third overall pick in the draft.

During his senior year at Huntington High School, Mayo led the team to its third straight Class AAA championship title and was named West Virginia’s boys basketball player of the year.

West Virginia’s Alexander went to Milwaukee with the No. 8 pick. Alexander’s stock began to rise after a strong run here in the Big East tournament.

West Virginia coach Bob Huggins, who was in New York with Alexander, was excited for Alexander.

“This is a great night for Joe Alexander and for the Mountaineer basketball family,” Huggins said. “Joe has worked extremely hard to put himself in this position to be selected as the eighth pick in the draft. He’s got talent, and I think he will do well at the NBA level. The entire Mountaineer basketball family is happy for Joe.”

The Chicago Bulls made Derrick Rose the No. 1 selection.

The draft was being held in New York.