NBA Draft Thursday
June 23, 2010 09:42 AM | General
June 23, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The last two months have certainly been a rollercoaster ride for Devin Ebanks.
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| Devin Ebanks is likely to go in the 20s in the first round of Thursday's NBA draft.
WVU Photographic Services/M.G. Ellis photo |
At one time the West Virginia University forward was being projected as a lottery pick in Thursday's NBA draft. Then his stock slipped during the Big East and NCAA tournaments as questions began to arise about his ability to score. Some began projecting him as a mid-second round pick.
But now after several personal workouts, Ebanks once again appears to be a solid late first-round choice, probably somewhere between picks 20 to 30, if the most recent mock drafts are to be believed.
One mock draft has Ebanks going No. 30 to the Washington Wizards. Ebanks had a one-hour workout with the Wizards on June 2 along with Connecticut guard Jerome Dyson, Louisiana Tech forward Magnum Rolle and St. Francis (Pa.) guard Devin Sweetney.
On Monday, Ebanks was one of six players to work out for the Orlando Magic, which has the 29th pick in the first round. Ebanks has also worked out for the Memphis Grizzlies, owning three first round picks at 12, 25 and 28, the Indiana Pacers (10th), the Atlanta Hawks (24th) and the Milwaukee Bucks (15th).
He returned to Toronto for a second workout Tuesday along with Kansas center Cole Aldrich and Texas guard Avery Bradley. The Raptors have the 13th pick in the draft and according to the Toronto Sun, would also consider taking Ebanks if they can acquire another first round pick.
“They liked what they saw the first time probably, and wanted to see me again, just get a better feel for me,” Ebanks told the Sun. “I did a better job than last time, especially shooting the ball and handling, things I’ve been working on since I left here.”
Josh McMullen of The Sports Network has Ebanks slotted No. 26 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Sporting News' Sean Deveny also has Ebanks going to the Thunder. Wrote Deveny: "A lot of teams like Ebanks because he is a tough, smart player. He will fit in with the young Thunder nicely."
Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports.com has Ebanks going No. 29 to the Orlando Magic.
“He’s long and talented – and can defend,” wrote Goodman. “His shot needs some work, but won’t need to score right away with guys like Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter.”
During the last two months Ebanks has had to prove to scouts that he can become a consistent NBA scorer.
"Everybody knows I'm a defensive player," Ebanks said. "They really haven't seen my offensive game. It's been really good to this point."
If Ebanks is taken in the first round on Thursday it will be the second Bob Huggins-coached player to go in the first round at West Virginia since 2008 when forward Joe Alexander was the eighth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks. Huggins has developed six first-rounders, including No. 1 overall pick Kenyon Martin in 2000.
Also taken in that 2000 draft from Huggins' Cincinnati team were No. 6 overall pick DerMarr Johnson and pick No. 58 Pete Micheal. Huggins has had 16 players drafted during his coaching career.
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| Da'Sean Butler was believed to be a solid first round pick before injuring his knee against Duke in the national semifinals.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
Ebanks will likely be No. 17, while injured forward Da'Sean Butler is hoping to make it 18. Butler was a potential first round choice before injuring his knee in the national semifinals against Duke. Butler has worked hard rehabilitating his knee and is hoping some organization will take a chance on him Thursday.
Butler's agent Richard Katz told the Charleston Daily Mail earlier this week that there is plenty of interest in his client among NBA organizations.
"One team I won't name said he was solidly on their board as a first rounder, then off their board completely, but now they have him back on there as a solid first-round pick," said Katz.
Katz went to Chicago last week armed with medical reports and progress notes on Butler's rehabilitation to alleviate any concerns teams may have about his knee. Butler also had personal interviews with several organizations while he was out there.
The Sports Xchange has Butler rated the 74th-best player available for the draft following his injury, writing: "Butler would've been a second-round pick prior to the torn ACL suffered in the Final Four. He can do a little bit of everything and might latch on with a team with a strong summer league showing if he's able to get back on the court."
Longtime NBA observer David Aldridge lists Butler as his top sleeper prospect among small forwards in this year's draft.
Another positive for Butler is the pre-draft publicity he has received since his injury. ESPN's "Outside the Lines" profiled Butler's rehabilitation process during a segment on last Sunday's show.
The draft will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 24, in New York City and will be televised by ESPN.
