Paul was selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft. Due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Paul did not play his first full season in New Orleans. Instead, the team relocated to Oklahoma City for the season with the Hornets playing just three games at the New Orleans Arena. Paul led all rookies in points, assists, steals, and minutes, earning him the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Paul was a near unanimous winner for the award, but one voter (Ron Boone, Television analyst for the Utah Jazz) gave Deron Williams a vote instead of Paul. This, along with the fact that both were taken back to back in the draft and play the same position, has led to an on court rivalry between Paul and Williams. Their rivalry began on December 1, 2004 when Paul led his No. 1-ranked Wake Forest into Champaign to face Williams' Illini. Illinois thrashed the Demon Deacons 91–73 and took the top spot from there into their run to the 2005 NCAA Championship Game. Williams had 11 assists and 8 points while Paul was held to 10.