June 6, 2001

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke's J.D. Alleva was selected in the 2001 Major League Baseball's Amateur Draft on Wednesday afternoon.

Alleva was drafted in the 24th round by the Kansas City Royals. He was the 716th pick overall in the two-day draft.

Alleva becomes the third Blue Devil ever to be drafted in the 24th round. Catcher Matt Harrell was selected by the Montreal Expos in 1993 and first baseman Dave Amaro was taken in the 24th round by the Chicago Cubs in 1984. Alleva becomes one of 10 Blue Devils drafted in the last six Major League Baseball drafts.

Despite being drafted as a catcher, Alleva spent most of his time at third base for the Blue Devils in 2001. He was the only Blue Devil to start in all 56 games for Duke this season.

Alleva, a switch-hitter, hit .332 for the Blue Devils and led the team in total bases. He collected 74 hits, 36 RBI and led Duke with 42 runs scored.

"I'm very happy for J.D.," said Duke head coach Bill Hillier. "This is a great opportunity for him to play right away. They are going to use him a lot at third and maybe some behind the plate and he'll do fine wherever they play him."

ALLEVA'S CAREER STATISTICS

Year	BA	G-GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB-K	SB-AS
1998	.346	58-58	228	39	79	19	1	8	52	24-21	0-0
1999	.333	3-3	12	1	4	1	0	0	3	1-4	0-0
2000	.297	57-57	222	34	66	17	0	8	31	26-16	0-2
2001	.332	56-56	223	42	74	13	0	5	36	33-21	7-7
Career	.323	174-174	685	116	223	50	1	21	122	84-62	7-9