ST. FRANCIS - The Milwaukee Bucks have done an amazingly good job of finding quality players in the second round of the NBA draft.

They're hoping they struck gold again in Thursday night's draft.

The Bucks, with the 41st overall pick, selected Jodie Meeks, a shooting guard from Kentucky.

The 6-foot-4 Meeks averaged 23.7 points a game last season. He is an outstanding shooter, connecting on 46 percent of his field goal attempts. He shot 90 percent from the free throw line.

"Even up until last night, no way this kid makes it to the second round" Bucks general manager John Hammond said. "I'm sure a lot of people are saying that about their second-round picks.

"But we just felt he is one of the better shooters in this draft. Our guys who were out scouting all year said that the thing they were really impressed about Jodie Meeks is that he may be one of the better defenders, too. The guy is a great defender."

Last year, the Bucks chose Luc Richard Mbah a Moute of UCLA in the second round. Mbah a Moute became a part-time starter and was considered by the Bucks coaching staff as the team's best defender.

Among the players the Bucks have drafted in the second round in the past were Michael Redd, Rafer Alston, Dan Gadzuric, Jason Hart, Ersan Ilyasova and Ramon Sessions.

- Brandon Jennings, the Bucks' first-round pick, said he was looking forward to playing for Bucks coach Scott Skiles.

Skiles played the same position as Jennings does: point guard.

"I think it's a really good opportunity," Jennings said. "He was one of the best point guards to play. He led the league in assists and had assist records. He was a really good point guard.

"I think I can learn a whole lot from him."

- Jennings said he was elated to hear his name called in the draft.

"It is a dream come true," Jennings said. "It is something I have dreamed about since picking up a basketball.

"I want to come in and do what I do best and run the team and put a on show for the fans like I did when I was there (in Milwaukee) for the McDonald's game."

Jennings participated in the McDonald's High School All-American Game in Milwaukee in March 2008.

- Recently-acquired Amir Johnson attended the Bucks' draft proceedings.

The Bucks obtained Johnson, a 6-foot-11 power forward, in a three-team deal Wednesday. Johnson was a part-time starter for the Detroit Pistons last season.