June 30, 1999

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - Steve Francis didn't simply walk to the podium. He swaggered his way his up those steps, raising both arms to the pro-Maryland crowd before shaking hands with commissioner David Stern.

"That's the way I am, nonchalant about everything," said Francis, completing the attitude with his all-black suit. "That's the way I walk."

And the way he talks. Considered the favorite to be chosen first, Francis was the second player picked in Wednesday night's NBA draft. He was taken by the Vancouver Grizzlies after the Chicago Bulls pulled a mild surprise and took Duke's Elton Brand at No. 1.

"They took a big gamble," Francis said of the Bulls.

Vancouver later drafted Francis' former Terrapin teammate, center Obinna Ekezie, in the second round with the 37th overall selection. Ekezie was a 1998 honorable mention All-ACC selection whose senior season was ended by a torn Achilles' tendon.

Maryland's Laron Profit was then taken with the next pick (38th overall) by Orlando.

Vancouver has been a perennial doormat since joining the NBA in 1995, and it's a long way from Francis' home in Silver Spring, Md. He didn't express any outright disappointment over the selection, but he wasn't exactly celebrating a dream come true.

"Hopefully, when I wake up tomorrow, I'll be happy," said Francis, who has never been to Canada. "I feel relieved now more than happy."

Francis said he hadn't seen the Grizzlies play much on television because he didn't pay attention to the NBA until the playoffs - and, of course, Vancouver was finished by that time.

Francis declared early for the draft after playing only a year at Maryland following two successful years in junior college.

Maryland coach Gary Williams said it was understandable if Francis seemed reluctant to go north of the border.

"Any kid growing up here that wears No. 23, if he had a shot at Chicago, maybe that was a dream growing up," Williams said. "But he'll be fine."

His selection brought a standing ovation and one of the biggest cheers of the night from the sellout crowd at the MCI Center, a short drive from the University of Maryland.

The local hype surrounding Francis reached incredible heights in the days before the draft. His backers even paid $40,000 to put up a six-story Francis mural-like poster across the street from the arena.

As for the near future, Francis put some swagger into his voice with his first prediction as a pro.

"Rookie of the year?" he said. "No doubt."