Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: Jonathan Phillips. Georgia Tech's Gani Lawal hugs his mother Michelle while his father Gani Sr. stands beside them after being the 46th pick in the NBA draft to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

JOHNS CREEK -- It was a far longer night than anyone at St. Ives Country Club's Turnberry Grill preferred, but Gani Lawal finally heard his name called in the NBA draft late Thursday night.

Lawal joined his former Norcross teammate Al-Farouq Aminu in beginning his NBA career after he was selected with the 46th pick in the second round by the Phoenix Suns.

"I wasn't nervous," Lawal said minutes after the pick was announced. "I know God has a plan for me, and I'd like to thank the Phoenix Suns for taking a chance on me and having faith in me."

The 6-foot-9, 233-pound forward led Norcross to two straight Class AAAAA state championships in 2006 and 2007 before embarking on a three-year career at Georgia Tech, where he earned third-team All-ACC honors the past two seasons.

Now, he prepares to take his career to an even higher level in Phoenix.

"They've got a good point guard in Steve Nash, and it's a run-and-gun offense," Lawal said of the Suns. "And I like to run."