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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ike Diogu of the Golden State Warriors dunked during training camp at the Brigham Young-Hawaii campus last week.
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Bynum, Diogu out of action
The top draft picks of the Lakers and Warriors will miss games in Honolulu
As if the growing pains inherent in making the jump to professional basketball weren't enough, Ike Diogu and Andrew Bynum are dealing with some physical aches as well in training camp.
Neither of the first-round draft picks of the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers figure to play in the teams' preseason games tonight and tomorrow due to injuries.
Diogu, the ninth selection in the NBA Draft this summer, had his Warriors debut put on hold after suffering a broken bone in his left hand during practice on Sunday at Kahuku High School.
Bynum, who was taken one pick after Diogu by the Lakers, was sidelined with an abdominal strain the last few days of camp and isn't expected to play this week.
"I'm kind of upset about it, because I'm just trying to work out and trying to get some time and this happened," Bynum said after working out on the sidelines during the Lakers' practice Sunday at the Sheriff Center. "I wanted to prove myself in this training camp, but now I can't do that."
Both players arrived on Oahu last week anxious to take their first shots as pros, but will have to watch from the bench as their teammates open the exhibition schedule at the Sheriff Center. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Even before Diogu suffered the injury, Golden State coach Mike Montgomery said it would take some time for Diogu to get acclimated to the NBA game.
Diogu, the Pac-10 Player of the Year at Arizona State last season, eventually hopes to provide the Warriors with an interior presence as he gradually picks up the Golden State system.
"Learning the plays and the different terminology has been tough," Diogu said. "It's a lot different from college.
"This is what guys want to do since they were a small kid. It's a job that I wanted and I'm excited to be here. It's exciting to be playing with the best players in the world."
Bynum averaged 22 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks as a senior at St. Joseph High School in New Jersey earlier this year and became the youngest player ever taken in the draft when the Lakers made him their first-round pick.
At 7-feet and 275 pounds, Bynum's potential convinced the Lakers to use a high pick on the 17-year-old and he's eager to show he was worth the investment.
"I have a lot prove," Bynum said. "I got drafted number 10 and everybody wants to see what I'm about."
With the league setting up a farm system with the NBA Development League, there has been talk of sending Bynum to the D-League's Fort Worth Flyers to gain game experience rather than have him spend his first season on the bench with the Lakers.
Two of Bynum's Lakers teammates -- Kobe Bryant and Kwame Brown -- also went directly from high school to the NBA. Brown said having coaches like Phil Jackson and special assistant Kareem Abdul-Jabbar can only aid in Bynum's progress as a pro.
"He's a big kid, he's strong, he should be fine," Brown said. "A lot of people are giving him advice, he just needs to listen to the coaches and just stay focused."
Von Wafer also entered camp looking to prove his worth in the pros and earn a roster spot. The 6-5 guard from Florida State was taken by the Lakers with the 39th overall selection and admitted to being a bit tentative in camp.
"I'm just trying to do a little bit too much," Wafer said. "I just have to calm down and play like I'm back home at the playground and play free.
"A lot of people talked about the pick that it wasn't a good pick," he said. "It's kind of a slap in the face, so I'm going to try my best to make this organization look good."
Like Bynum, Golden State guard Monta Ellis was playing in high school last year and the Warriors selected him with the 49th overall pick. The Warriors also selected Pittsburgh forward Chris Taft in the second round.
While all five of the Lakers' and Warriors' draft picks this year entered the draft early -- either from high school or college -- free-agent guards Will Conroy (Washington) and Devin Green (Hampton) are hoping to make the Lakers' roster after four-year college careers.
"I was able to grow and mature and go through the college life, which helps you adapt a little quicker to this situation," said Conroy, the Huskies' all-time assists leader. "I'm a little physically stronger, so it's easier for me to adapt."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.