Defying predictions that at least one former Hoya would be drafted, neither Henry Sims nor Hollis Thompson heard their names called in last night’s NBA Draft.
The most efficient three-point shooter in Georgetown history, Thompson — who also entered the draft in 2011 before withdrawing his name and returning for his junior year— was seen by many as a sure-fire late second round pick.
Sims, who had a quiet first three years before exploding as a major force in the post during his senior season, was also thought to have a good shot of being selected in the second round (perhaps by the now-Brooklyn Nets at 54, many suggested).
The Nets went with Turkish player Ilkan Karaman instead, one of many Europeans chosen in the second round. That wasn’t necessarily unusual, of course, because teams often uses the second round to fill specific gaps in their rosters, which in turn makes it easier for good collegiate players to slip through the cracks.
Prospects for both players are unclear, but it would seem that Thompson’s versatility and athleticism would be major selling points to teams now. Free agency, one must keep in mind, is far from an immediate death sentence for a potential NBA career.
In any case, despite the rough night for his stars, Head Coach John Thompson III was still in the spotlight. He joined NBA TV in the studio as a commentator for both the pre- and post-draft show.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em: The Ray Allen Conundrum
I’ll admit: I wasn’t so sure about the Ray Allen trade when it initially broke, back in June of 2007.
At the time, I was very much a college basketball fan before I was a Celtics one, meaning I was disappointed to see #5 pick and former Hoya Jeff Green shuttled off to Seattle in favor of some older guy I’d barely gotten a chance to watch. I’d heard of Allen, of course, but I—along with most people, apparently—didn’t exactly choose to tune in to Sonics games for fun.
LeBron tweeted this photoshopped picture of the future Hall-of Famer in Heat red before the deal was finalized.
But, when I first witnessed him at work, Jesus Shuttlesworth immediately converted me.
Since then, #20′s silky-smooth, OCD-fueled jumper has always been, in my eyes, the single most beautiful thing in sports. It’s perfection personified, over and over and over again.
After the Celts claimed an NBA title in Allen and Kevin Garnett’s first year, I unsurprisingly grew to like Ray (and the rest of the team) even more. Two knockouts by the Miami Heat later, though, and he’s crossed over to the dark side. And, my own personal feelings and rooting interests aside here, the move just doesn’t feel right.
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