Draft story
Here's my story on the draft from today's paper. Nick would have liked to have gone in the lottery, but he really didn't sound at all disappointed.
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Matthew Kredell broke into the Daily News in 1998, working part time
at the paper while going to USC. The basketball team’s Elite Eight
run in 2000-01 was USC’s athletic highlight in his time at the
school, when the football team was stuck in the Paul Hackett-era.
After graduating in 2001, he started writing for the Daily News full
time. He’s in his second year covering USC, which coincides with the
rise of the program. He’ll take credit for the success, though Tim
Floyd may have more to do with it. A third-generation Los Angelean,
he grew up reading the Daily News while at El Camino Real High School
in Woodland Hills.
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Here's my story on the draft from today's paper. Nick would have liked to have gone in the lottery, but he really didn't sound at all disappointed.
First a little background on Young. When at Cleveland, he played AAU ball for Pump-N-Run with Gilbert Arenas Sr. as his coach. I'll have more on that in my article that runs in the paper.
Quotes from Nick ...
``It's a great thing to go there and have someone familiar I can relate with and learn from in Gilbert. The Wizards use a run-and-gun offense that will give me the chance to showcase my game. Hopefully, we can get everyone from L.A. to watch us.''
On dropping to 16: ``I sat there for a long time and a lot of teams passed me up. I was getting a little nervous. But I can't complain. I ended up in a good situation and I love it. I'm happy to be picked this high. It's been a great experience and I wouldn't change it for the world.''
Quotes from Washington Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld ...
``Any shooter that plays next to Gilbert is going to get a lot of shots, so that's going to help his progress. He is a good player and can get his own shot. He needs to learn the pro-style game, but I think he has a great future.''
``Young fits very well with ourt team. He's a scorer, he's extremely athletic, long and very competitive. Having played three years at a top college program, he's mature.''
``We went in with the mentality that we would pick the best player available, and Nick was by far the best caliber player available to us."
``It was a very easy decision. We didn't need the whole time to decide on Nick. ... The highest player left on the board was the player we picked.''
``I think he can be a very good defensive player. He has athleticism and long arms. Every player that reaches the pro level raises their level of play, and we feel really good about this selection.''
``He shot 44 percent from the 3-point line last year in one of the top conferences in the country. He can get his own shot and, when players reach the pros, they extend their range. What I like about him is his speed, athleticism and quickness. His strength is he can get his own shot, and that is not easy to accomplish.''
Nick Young went with the 16th pick to the Washington Wizards, where he'll unite with another San Fernando Valley prep product in Gilbert Arenas. I'll have more from Nick shortly.
Here's the teams Nick Young worked out for, and their pick in the first round: Memphis (4), Boston (5), Charlotte (8), Philadelphia (12), New Orleans (13), Clippers (14), Detroit (15), Washington (16), New Jersey (17), Golden State (18), Lakers (19), Miami (20). I think his most likely destination is New Orleans. That would be an interesting spot. He could help Reggie Bush in efforts to rebuild the city, and he would be near Paulette Francis. The best story, and probably his second-most-likely destination, would be to the Clippers. That would keep him close to home and perhaps set up a third cross-town rivalry with Jordan Farmar, from Cleveland-Taft to USC-UCLA to Clippers-Lakers. The Clippers are the only team to work Nick out twice. Nick would love to stay in L.A.
Gabe Pruitt worked out for Washington (16), Golden State (18), Phoenix (24, 29), Utah (25), Houston (26), Detroit (27), San Antonio (28), Philadelphia (30) and Seattle (2). Obviously, the Sonics would be considering him for the second round. This is the moment of truth for Pruitt. He needs to go in the first round, or his leaving USC early for the draft was likely a mistake.
Lodrick Stewart has some hope of going in the second round. He worked out with Sacramento, Seattle and Phoenix.
The draft will be televised on ESPN beginning at 4 p.m.
Gabe Pruitt's agency says he will not be speaking to the media this week until after the draft. Pruitt, who gave up his senior year at USC by declaring for the draft and hiring an agent, is projected as a borderline first-round pick.
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_6228963
Don MacLean on Young: ``I think his downside is to be a good NBA player. Then the sky's the limit. He has all the tools with his athleticism and offensive skill. I'm hopeful for Nick that he can be on a team with a great player so he can watch him, see how he operates and see how he practices to give him some direction in that regard."
Nick Young learned today that airlines don't care if you're soon to be a first-round draft pick. His originally 3 p.m. flight to New Orleans was canceled twice. Now he's scheduled to leave at midnight and fly all night before working out for the Hornets in the morning.
Nick plans to visit New Orleans on Monday, Charlotte on Tuesday and Boston on Wednesday before heading to New York for Thursday's NBA draft.
Nick met with the Lakers today.
There was a nice turnout for the film, with just scattered seats and the front row open. Nick Young and his family sat in the back row. USC sprinter Carol Rodriguez was with Young. That has to be one of the most athleticly talented couples in the world.
After the film, Young was asked of his dream destination on draft day. He said he'd like to stay home and replace Kobe if he's traded. Perhaps if the Lakers trade with the Bulls to get the ninth pick. Kobe for Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Nick Young and P.J. Brown? Probably not, but I think that could work out for the Lakers.
Don't read on if you are going July 1 and don't want to have anything spoiled.
USC and Young's time as a Trojan isn't the focus of the film. It's all on his senior year of high school, his battle to qualify for college and the impact his playing had on his family after the tough times they had been through with the murder of his brother. You don't see Young in a USC uniform until the credits, where a few minutes of his highlights as a Trojan are shown. There is one part where Cleveland coach Andre Chevalier said that, in Nick's first year at the school, he asked all the players what was their first choice for college and Young said USC. Then everyone laughed because no one ever said USC was their first choice for a basketball school. How things have changed.
Henry Bibby and one of his assistants are shown briefly in a home visit after St. Joseph's and a few other schools had been trying to get Young despite his oral commitment to the Trojans. Bibby wants Young to shut these other schools down. Really, nothing is said that would paint USC in a bad light. It's normal recruiting. The assistant does most of the talking.
Young said after the film that he thought his father, Charles Sr., was the star. It's surprising because Charles is a quiet person while Nick's mother Mae, the one always waving her towel and yelling at USC games, has the outgoing personality. But Charles has some great one-liners. When Nick and his mother were thinking he could go straight to the NBA from high school, Charles said that everyone was talking about NBA while he was thinking about B.A., or a college degree. Charles is also the one pushing Nick to USC, often wearing a USC shirt and telling Bibby not to worry, that his son will be going to the school. An interesting side note is that Charles originally came to Los Angeles with the intention of being an actor. He finally has his big-screen debut.
There's more of Marcus, the killer of Charles Jr., than I expected. I had viewed one of his scenes. He's actually shown three or four times. After serving seven years in a juvenile facility for the murder, he went to college and gets a six-figure job as, I believe, a legal recruiter. He's applying to top-10 business schools to get an MBA. He's extremely apologetic about his youth. He now tells his story to kids at a church to try to help them avoid his mistakes. He tried to reach out to talk to the Young family. Charles originally says he wants to meet Marcus but backs out after talking to a social worker who was making the arrangements.
There were a lot of laughs and cheers and, I'm sure, some tears from the crowd.
``That's what I really wanted to see, how people would react,'' Young said. ``It was great.''
Notice the Daily News' own Vincent Bonsignore in the foreground on the right.
Here's my feature on director Dan Forer making the documentary.
Here's a sidebar on Nick Young and his father Charles reacting to a shocking twist in the film. At the request of Forer, I didn't get into specifics on the transformation of the killer of Nick Young's brother. Those who see the film will be surprised. I believe tickets are still available through lafilmfest.com for the showing tonight and July 1.
For those who attend tonight, watch for my big-screen debut. In the scene inside the Cleveland locker room after Nick's final high school game, you can see me peeking in at the door wearing a blue hat. I'll be at the premiere, so come by and say hi if you recognize me.
Another interesting tidbit on Forer, he grew up a UCLA fan and was even a ballboy for the Bruins football team. After getting to know Nick, he is now a fan of both schools, USC a little more for basketball and UCLA a little more for football.
Nick Young is making the rounds in the final week before the draft. He just returned from a trip to Detroit, Philadelphia and Memphis. He has a second meeting with the Clippers on Friday before heading to New Orleans on Monday.
In Philadelphia, Young had dinner with Sixers assistant coach Henry Bibby, the man who recruited him to USC.
``He's still a cool guy,'' Young said. ``He said he wanted to talk about everything, even the USC days. He let me order lobster. It was just like I was on my recruiting trip again.''
USC has its first commitment for the class of 2011.
Tim Floyd is making a habit of getting them young. For the second year in a row, the USC coach has accepted an oral commitment from a player yet to play a game of high school.
Ryan Boatwright, a 5-foot-10, 145-pound point guard from Illinois, accepted Floyd's scholarship offer while at the USC Elite Camp this past weekend, in a story first reported by Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com.
Goodman wrote that Boatwright, a 14-year-old eighth grader, had yet to decide what high school he will attend. But he has his college set.
Last year, USC got a commitment from Dwayne Polee Jr. before he had played a single game for Westchester High.
The Trojans also scored a pledge from Mt. San Antonio College point guard Donte Smith for the class of 2008.
This video needs some more pub. 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion?
I saw more of the film today. Most of the footage is from Young's senior year of high school. USC fans are going to start rooting for Jordan Farmar after viewing. The documentary, directed by Dan Forer, will show June 22nd and July 1st at the L.A. Film Festival.
Nick Young will get to shake NBA commissioner David Stern's hand the way he always envisioned.
Young was one of 15 players invited to New York to be present during the June 28th NBA draft and go on stage when selected.
``He's already been standing in the mirror and practicing,'' Mae Young, Nick's mother, said of his upcoming television moment. ``I told him he can't turn that hat backward.''
When Young decided to forego his senior year and enter the NBA draft, he was considered a mid-to-late first rounder. His being invited to New York is the biggest sign that, because of his strong workouts, Young is now expected to go by the middle of the round.
``It's a great sign,'' said Aaron Mintz, Young's agent. ``Usually, they poll all the decision makers for various teams to find out who's the top group to get the invite.''
Young is currently in Detroit meeting with representatives from the Pistons. Tomorrow, he is going to Philadelphia. In Philly, he has dinner plans with Sixers assistant coach Henry Bibby, the former USC coach who recruited Young to the Trojans. He has also worked out for the Clippers, Washington and New Jersey. He has a workout with New Orleans scheduled for next week.
Here's my full story on Mayo's arrival.
Mayo is unfailingly polite and seems very conscious of his image. He calls me sir, which combined with turning 29 this past Sunday has me feeling a little old.
O.J. Mayo arrived at Galen Center on Tuesday evening with his new USC student identification card hanging around his neck. After spending the day getting settled into his new dorm room, he worked out with fellow incoming freshman Davon Jefferson on the Galen Center practice courts. He pointed out that the last time he stepped on those courts, during his official visit last November, he had to wear a hard hat because they were still under construction.
Despite the departure of last season's top players -- Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt -- to the NBA, Mayo isn't backing away from his goal for USC to win a national title in what will probably be his only year at the school.
``I still think we can win a national championship, it's just going to be a tad harder,'' Mayo said. ``We're not going to be as experienced as some teams but we'll play hard. Every time we get on the floor, we'll get after it.''
Without Young and Pruitt, the Trojans will have to be Mayo's team. That's part of the reason he wanted to arrive at USC in the summer. He plans to work out daily with his new teammates.
``I wanted to come out early so we can gel as a team,'' Mayo said. ``Most of these guys have played together before. I'm just worried about the team aspect and trying to fit in. Hopefully we can gel before the season starts and be a step ahead.''
Even after he announced his commitment to USC in November, there were many doubters as to whether Mayo would end up playing for the Trojans. Likely a top-five pick in the June 28th NBA draft if not for the recent rule requiring players to be one year out of high school to enter the league, Mayo could have chosen to go overseas for a year, sign a shoe contract and already be a millionaire before he enters the NBA.
USC fans can breathe a sigh of relief. O.J. is in the building, draining one 3-pointer after another off passes from an electric ball machine.
``I had a plan and I stuck with it,'' Mayo said. ``I think USC is the best fit for me. It's a good opportuinty for me to get away from home and get focused. I think it's going to be great to be part of the Trojan family.''
Davon Jefferson said he is waiting to hear back from the NCAA Clearinghouse and is hoping he will be declared eligible before the next summer school period starts in two weeks. Jefferson said he is 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds.
Coach Tim Floyd said USC is still trying to finalize a game with two-time defending national champion Florida for next season. It's the last game needed to fill out USC's schedule.
Mayo arrived at USC today, a day earlier than the coaches previously said. He's going to have his first workout with some of his new teammates later today.
Taj Gibson said he has put on eight pounds so far this offseason, going from 214 to 222 pounds. The forward has been hitting the weight room three times a week at Galen Center.
Strength and Conditioning coach Rudy Hackett thinks the work Gibson is putting in will help him avoid tiring midseason like he did as a freshman.
``Last summer, he’d be like, `Is this really going to help me?’’ Hackett said. ``Now he knows, and he knows the intensity he needs to work at. That additional strength will help him get through the season.’’
The most-anticipated recruit in USC basketball history is scheduled to arrive on campus Wednesday.
O.J. Mayo, the top-ranked player for the class of 2007 by many recruiting services, will be set up in a dorm room with fellow incoming freshman Marcus Simmons. They both will begin summer school classes June 27.
Mayo, who can play point guard or shooting guard, starred at Huntington High in West Virginia last season.
Tickets to the world premiere of Second Chance Season go on sale beginning tomorrow on www.LAFilmFest.com or by calling 866-345-6337. Showing times are June 22 at 7:30 p.m. and July 1 at 2:30 p.m.
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