Height of the matter: Beasley a tad taller than 6-8

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Turns out, Michael Beasley is not 6-foot-10, as he was listed by Kansas State. He also isn't 6-foot-7, as some of his detractors have suggested in recent weeks, either.

The truth was almost exactly in the middle.

The Kansas State star who left college after one year for the lure of pro riches officially is 6-foot-8¼ tall with basketball shoes on, according to measurements taken at last week's NBA Pre-Draft Camp near Orlando and released by the league Tuesday.

"I didn't know there was a height requirement for the NBA," Beasley said last week, poking fun at the incessant speculation about his height.

By any measure, his stats couldn't be argued. Beasley averaged 26.2 points and an NCAA-best 12.4 rebounds this past season for Kansas State, and is expected to be one of the top two picks in the June 26 draft.

Memphis point guard Derrick Rose also measured at a slightly smaller height than he was listed in college: Thought to be at least 6-foot-3, Rose actually stands 6-foot-2½, the NBA said.

Rose and Beasley are widely presumed to go atop this year's draft. Chicago holds the No. 1 selection, followed by Miami.