Power forward Elton Brand is headed to the young and exciting Clippers.(Allsport)

Chandler, the No. 2 pick by Los Angeles, joins fellow prep star, 6-11 Eddy Curry, whom the Bulls' selected at No. 4.

That's two 18-year-olds with no college experience on the same roster.

Coach Tim Floyd, who has a 45-169 record in three seasons, might be pulling out his hair. Without the steady Brand's 20 points and 10 rebounds, victories could be even more rare.

"I think it will be similar to what we went through last year with some of our younger guys with the two 18-year olds. I've been down that road before," Floyd said.

"People say, `Does it remind you of college?' I was kidding with Jerry Reinsdorf. I don't remember starting two freshmen when I was a coach in college. I guess I'm going to get a chance in the NBA."

Brand was sick of the losing, and the No. 1 pick two years ago could have opted for restricted free agency after two more years.

"It looks as if they felt if we didn't improve right away I was going to leave regardless. Why not get two younger guys?" Brand said.

"That might not have been the case. If we had improved, of course I would have stayed. I think the 18-year olds have a lot of potential, a lot of upsides. Of course downsides, also. You just have to wait and see."

Chandler averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocked shots at Dominguez High in Compton, Calif.

"I think it will be great with two high schoolers," Chandler said. "We can learn from each other and we will get through this together. I think it will be a little easier for us, because we're not so much on our own. We can get out there and work out together and make this really good."

Chandler and Curry faced each other in a high school tournament in December. Both players had 16 points, and Chandler's Dominguez team beat Curry's Thornwood squad 54-50.

Curry shot just 5-for-18 in the game against Chandler.

Kwame Brown, another prep star, was the first pick, so three of top four selections came directly out of high school.

"I think all the high school guys have to get out there and work really hard," Chandler said. "We'll be under a lot of scrutiny and we can't let it get to us. We have to focus on the goal we're here to do."

Curry led Thornwood to the state tournament finals, averaging 22 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots while shooting 64 percent from the field.

Both the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday that the Bulls listened to a trade offer from the Wizards in which Chicago would have sent Brand to Washington for the first pick.

Now Brand, who was the bright spot for the Bulls as they went 32-132 the last two seasons, is gone.

"We had to give up an outstanding player and a guy I feel deeply about," Bulls general manager Jerry Krause said.

"We got two young people in the first round we really feel strongly about, two building blocks. ... I don't think it had to do with Elton's contract."

Bulls fans will need more patience than ever. So will Floyd.

"We've gotten younger and it's going to be very difficult to replace Elton's 20 and 10 immediately next year. We recognize this whole draft is based on potential and who these guys could become," Floyd said.

"Those are big shoes to fill," Chandler said of Brand. "I'll go out and play my game and do what I'm capable of doing."

Curry said playing close to home should help him make the transition.

"I'll be surrounded by my family and that's what I needed at this time. My family will make it a lot easier," Curry said.

"I know in my heart I'm ready to do this, especially physically. I think emotionally and mentally nobody can be 100 percent ready for the lifestyle you are about to embark on, regardless if you go to four years of college or come out of high school," Curry added.

The Bulls also got forward Brian Skinner in the deal for Brand. With their two second-round picks, they selected Austin Peay guard Trenton Hassell, who averaged 19 points over three years, and California forward Sean Lampley, who led the Pac-10 in scoring last season at 19.5.