JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June 8, 2007) - Senior outfielder C.J. Lee (Bristol, Va.) became the seventh Buccaneer in the past three seasons selected in Major League Baseball's amateur draft Friday afternoon when the Atlanta Braves picked him in the 20^th round.

Lee joins ETSU greats Shane Byrne, Steven Calicutt, Stephen Douglas, Jeremy Hall, Chuck Hargis and Caleb Moore as draftees over the past three seasons.  The Bristol native wrapped up his ETSU career with a .316 average, nine home runs, 24 doubles and 56 RBI in two seasons with the Buccaneers.

"This is unbelievable; so much more than I expected," said Lee. "I was just hoping to get drafted anywhere and get my foot in the door, but to be picked in the 20^th round by the team I've always rooted for is an awesome feeling."

Lee was second on the team with a .345 batting average as a junior, and his 6-for-15 performance in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament helped the Bucs to the championship round and landed him on the All-Tournament team.  Lee's overall average dipped to .282 in his senior season, but he hit .344 in conference play with 20 runs scored to help pace the ETSU attack.

"I'm very proud of C.J.," said head coach Tony Skole. "This validates all of his hard work, and it is a great sign for our program as we continue to give players opportunities to continue their careers professionally."

Lee will report to the Braves' affiliate in Danville of the Appalachian Rookie League for the summer.