By Brandy L. Simms

Sentinel Sports Writer

Kansas State forward Michael Beasley was among the top prizes at the 2008 NBA Draft last week in New York City.

The Miami Heat selected the former Riverdale Baptist star with the draft's second overall pick. Beasley was among a group of eight former Maryland high school players selected and the first of five players drafted with ties to Prince George's County.

Beasley also became the second former county player in many years to be taken No. 2 overall in the NBA Draft.

"That's crazy," said Beasley. "I don't think it could have played out any better than what it did."

Last year, the Seattle Supersonics selected Suitland native Kevin Durant with the second pick. Ironically, Beasley and Durant were once youth league teammates.

"Me and Kevin grew up together," added Beasley. "We've been best friends since a young age and for both of us to have identical careers so far is really amazing."

As a high school sophomore, Beasley led Riverdale Baptist to a 33-1 record, averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Upper Marlboro private school.

In his only college season, Beasley led Kansas State to a berth in the NCAA Tournament and earned first team All-America and both Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.

In addition to Beasley, former county standouts Patrick Ewing Jr. and Deron Washington of National Christian Academy were drafted, along with Maryland forward James Gist and Georgetown center Roy Hibbert of Adelphi.

Hibbert, who played high school basketball at Georgetown Prep in Montgomery County, was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the first round with the 17th overall pick, but he was later traded to the Indiana Pacers in a package deal.

Hibbert became the 11th Georgetown player selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, joining a list that includes former county standouts Michael Sweetney of Oxon Hill and Northwestern graduate Jeff Green.

Hibbert's Georgetown teammate Patrick Ewing Jr., the son of the former NBA All-Star and future NBA Hall of Famer, was selected in the second round by the Sacramento Kings with the 43rd overall pick in the draft.

The San Antonio Spurs selected Maryland's Gist at No. 57 and Virginia Tech's Washington was drafted two spots later at No. 59 by the Detroit Pistons.