NBA News 2013: Ben McLemore Will Target Rookie Of The Year Award, Top Pick Anthony Bennett Ready To Take Cleveland Cavaliers to The Next Level

Sacramento Kings rookie Ben McLemore was one of the most highly-touted prospects heading into the 2013 NBA Draft and was included in discussions for the first and second overall election, but he surprisingly dropped out of the top three and was picked seventh.

But instead of being discouraged for failing to make it into the top three, the former Kansas standout vowed to use it as added motivation in his pursuit for the Rookie of the Year award in the 2013-14 NBA season.

In an interview with Gary Bedore of KU Sports during Bill Self's basketball camp, McLemore vowed to work hard to get the prestigious award for first-year players.

By winning the award, he believes that teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and New Orleans Pelicans will regret their decision of passing up on him during the 2013 Draft.

"I feel I come in with a chip on my shoulder," McLemore said. "I feel I've been through a lot. I feel I am going to work hard to get Rookie of the Year. I know the mindset I'm going to come in and show everybody I could be the alpha dog and win that Rookie of the Year. I'm definitely going to work hard to get that."

Meanwhile, the first-overall pick in this year's batch of rookies Anthony Bennett is aware of the expectations on him, but the former UNLV Rebel said that he is ready to prove his doubters wrong, saying that he does not feel any pressure.

"I think it's every kid's dream to go No. 1 in the draft, just a great thing to accomplish. Everybody says it's a lot of pressure, but at the same time I feel like if I do what I have to do, it's just the game of basketball. I don't really feel pressure. Just like I did at UNLV, I didn't feel any pressure," Bennett said in a Boston Globe interview.

The 20-year-old burly forward will form a young but potent core in Cleveland, which includes All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, and Tyler Zeller. Expectations are higher than the previous seasons mainly because they will parade arguably their strongest lineup in the post-LeBron James era.