The Philadelphia 76ers picked up another A.I., former Arizona basketball player Andre Iguodala, who is excited to team up with Allen Iverson.

The Sixers selected Iguodala with the ninth choice in the NBA Draft last week. The pick is the highest draft position for an Arizona player since Mike Bibby was taken second in 1998 by the Vancouver Grizzlies.

"I'm just happy to be here, I'm real excited," said Iguodala in a press conference on Friday. "(Thursday) in the draft I was real anxious to hear my name called. I hoped to get called a little earlier but through this whole process I've been thinking, this is the place where I would like to be and that this is a team used to winning."

Sixers President and General Manager Billy King said at the press conference that he was excited Iguodala fell to the ninth pick. Iguodala was ranked as high as the third pick in the draft by many, including ESPN College Basketball and NBA Draft analyst Jay Bilas.

"(Thursday) night was a great day for the city of Philadelphia and the 76ers because we were able to get a player in Andre that will fit how we want to play. We're excited he was there," King said. "We didn't feel he was going to be there. We were going to try to move up to get him. And this is probably the first time in my eight years that we really liked the player targeted and were able to get him."

Iguodala averaged 12.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 30 games in the 2003-04 season. Along with a school record three triple doubles, he also was the first Wildcat to lead the team in rebounds (253), assists (147) and steals (48) in the same season.

Iguodala, who left Arizona after two seasons, will make $5.1 million over a guaranteed three-year contract.

"I think I can bring a lot of above-the-rim-type game to the table," Iguodala said. "Also, defensively I can go out there and defend well, guarding some of the best wing players in the Eastern Conference."

Since Iguodala can play three positions, Sixers head coach Jim O'Brien said he wasn't sure where he would play Philadelphia's lone pick.

"I don't know. I think that's the beauty of the having a player that has versatility and can play a lot of positions," O'Brien said. "I don't think he's really going to care as long as he gets playing time. "

Iguodala said he is comfortable anywhere and is excited to play with Iverson. He said he was hoping he would get picked by the Sixers.

"I feel comfortable anywhere on the court," Iguodala said. "Iverson's playing two right now, so I can step right in at three, step along side of him and just do what the coaches ask me. Work hard everyday, try to help the team win."

With two Blue Devils getting picked, freshman utility player Luol Deng (7th) and senior guard Chirs Duhon (38th) and one Wildcat, Arizona and Duke are now tied for most NBA Draft picks since 1989.

Iguodala is the 13th Wildcat selected in the first round, the UA's seventh Lottery Pick and the 57th Arizona player to be picked in the draft. Head coach Lute Olson has now produced 47 NBA Draft picks, including 28 at Arizona.

"This is a special moment for Andre," Olson said. "For him to go in the top-10 picks of the draft is a testament to his ability and work ethic. I'm sure he will make the most of his opportunity with the 76ers."

O'Brien respects Olson's program and compared Iguodala to former Wildcat Richard Jefferson, also known for his athleticism. Jefferson, who now leads the New Jersey Nets in scoring, is a member of the "Dream Team" this year.

"I remember studying Richard Jefferson when Richard was coming out, and looking at his statistics and Richard Jefferson's point production over a course of three years at Arizona was very even. He wasn't a 20-point scorer, he was in the low teens, as a matter of fact," O'Brien said. "When I was looking at Andre you don't see 20-point scoring but you see a guy that can distribute the basketball, can defend, can rebound, can finish. So you're looking at a well-rounded basketball player with intelligence and a work ethic. And they're hard to find."

Throughout the draft process, Iguodala has been compared to Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen, a comparison he relishes.

"It feels pretty good, he's a great player and just being mentioned right next to him is a great compliment," Iguodala said. "He's a player who can do a lot of different things on the court, as far as bringing it up the court, setting up the offense, being explosive to the basket, he shoots the ball well."