NEWARK, N.J. — Kyrie Irving traveled just a few miles down the road to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. The players that followed him came from across the globe.

Loudly cheered by family and friends not far from where he starred at St. Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth, Irving showed no signs of the toe injury on his right foot that limited him to 11 games last season as he walked up the stairs to shake hands with commissioner David Stern.

“I didn’t have any doubts about going to No. 1. I was looking to the organization to pick who they felt was the right choice,” Irving said. “But now to this moment, from being a fan of the NBA draft and now being drafted, it’s a special feeling in my heart and knowing that my friends and family were together, it’s a memory I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”

Three of the first six players taken were from Europe, capitalizing on the absence of some American college players who might have gone in their spots and made this a stronger draft. It was the first time four international players who didn’t play at a U.S. college were selected in the lottery.

Cleveland got the NBA draft running by making Kyrie Irving the No. 1 pick. The night’s story lines included a three-team trade and a record four international players taken as lottery (1 through 14) selections.

Even Erving has international ties. He was born in Australia while his father, Drederick, played professionally there and said he might be interested in playing for the Australian national team.

After grabbing him with their first No. 1 pick since taking James in 2003, the Cavs used the No. 4 selection on Texas forward Tristan Thompson. They were the first team since the 1983 Houston Rockets with two top-four picks. Thompson, who is from Toronto, only played one year with the Longhorns, averaging 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off bringing guard Ricky Rubio of Spain into the fold, took Arizona forward Derrick Williams with the No. 2 pick. The Utah Jazz then took Turkish big man Enes Kanter third with the

via NBA draft 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving with No. 1 pick – ESPN.