Andrew Bynum and Ike Diogu are learning what it's like not to be the big man on campus anymore.

They are first-round draft picks for their respective teams — Diogu was selected ninth overall by the Golden State Warriors; Bynum went next at No. 10 to the Los Angeles Lakers.

They may get to play in their first NBA exhibition game Tuesday when the Lakers and Warriors meet at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I'll be excited to play anybody, really," Diogu said. "I haven't given much thought to playing against Andrew because I have so many other things to learn. But I met him before and he's a cool dude, so it would be fun to see him on the court."

Diogu is 6 feet 8 and a muscular 255 pounds. Bynum is 7 feet and 275 pounds. They worked out with each other at a Big Man Camp over the summer.

"It was nothing serious — just kind of getting to know each other," Bynum said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him again."

Golden State head coach Mike Montgomery said Diogu will have to adjust his playing style to fit the Warriors' schemes.

"It's going to be hard for Ike because he is used to being a go-to guy that puts himself in a spot, you throw (the ball) to him and he goes," Montgomery said. "Now, he's going to have to think and move around, set screens to set himself free."

Diogu said he has been "a little behind" during training camp at the Brigham Young-Hawai'i campus this week.

"It's way different," he said. "From the intensity, to the skill level of the players, to the terminology of the plays. Everything is different from college."

Yet, it is Diogu's college numbers that put him in a position to become a first-round pick. He was the Pac-10 Player of the Year as a junior at Arizona State last season after averaging 22.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

He said he is ready for a reduced role with the Warriors.

"I just want to be an energy guy," said Diogu, 22. "I see myself as somebody who can come in and defend and rebound. We have enough scorers on this team, so I want to do other things to help the team win."

Bynum has even more learning to do than Diogu, although that is understandable considering he is not even old enough to vote.

Bynum is 17 (he will be 18 on Oct. 27), the youngest player ever selected in the NBA Draft. Six months ago, he was a senior at St. Joseph High in New Jersey.

"It's a learning process and I'm trying to do my best," he said. "This is more like an education for me right now."

If so, the Lakers have brought in a special "professor" to help coach Bynum this season.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, has been coaching Bynum at the team's training camp this week at the University of Hawai'i.

"It's an honor to work with a guy like that," Bynum said. "I thought this camp was going to be more running — sprints and suicides. But it's actually more about learning what to do and how to play at this level."

Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said the team must still decide whether to keep Bynum on the active roster this season, or send him to the Developmental League.

Jackson said he wants to wait and see what players other teams send to the Developmental League.

"Playing 30 minutes a game against guys 6-foot-6 or 6-7 isn't going to give him that much experience because that's what he came out of high school doing," Jackson said.

In any case, both players said Tuesday will be memorable.

"Just being on the same team with some of these guys is amazing," Diogu said. "I can't wait to play with them."

NBA PRESEASON

WHO: LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

WHEN: TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, 7 P.M. EACH DAY

WHERE: STAN SHERIFF CENTER

SECURITY: No large backpacks, oversize purses, or video recorders will be allowed.

Tickets: $10, $25, $35 and $80; available at Stan Sheriff Center, Aloha Stadium, UH-Manoa Campus Center, RainbowTique at Ward Centre, and Windward Community College's OCET Office. Also online at etickethawaii.com or charge-by-phone at 944-2697.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.