NEW YORK — The NBA draft had its second-largest audience ever on ESPN.

The network says Thursday's event was watched by more than 2.9 million viewers. The only draft on ESPN that drew more was in 2011, when there were 3.2 million.

Despite being considered a lackluster class, the draft also scored a 2.4 rating, up 9 percent from last season and tied for the second-highest ever on ESPN.