Certainly everyone loves to see those lasting images of future NBA players getting a warm embrace from family and friends on NBA Draft night. Players such as Allen Iverson to Dwyane Wade to Blake Griffin have all had the cameras in their faces while being congratulated by their staunch of supporters upon first hearing their names called on that special night.
To me, it’s always interesting as to who gets invited and conversely who declines or gets passed over by the league on their magical night. After all, this is what every young player dreams about. Before winning an NBA Title or making the All Star Team, surely they all envisioned hearing their names called by Commissioner David Stern, signifying that they are among the very select few to be chosen for membership into the NBA.
Every year the NBA issues invites to 14-15 players to sit in a so called “Green Room” backstage before hearing their name called by the Commissioner. Although any potential Draftee isn’t prohibited to attend the official Draft and sit in the stands among fans, only a select few are invited to wait backstage.
Of course, who could forget Brandon Jennings not being in attendance when his name was called as the #10 pick in the ’09 Draft, then making a grand entrance later in the evening.
A few days ago the Association came out with their official list of prospects invited to the ‘Green Room’ highlighted by 12 collegiate and 3 International players.
The list includes: Kyrie Irving (Duke), Derrick Williams (Arizona), Brandon Knight (Kentucky), Kemba Walker (UConn), Kawhi Leonard (San Diego St.), Chris Singleton (Florida St.), Klay Thompson (Washington St.), Tristan Thompson (Texas), Jimmer Fredette (BYU), Marcus and Markieff Morris (Kansas), and Alec Burks (Colorado).
The three International players highlighted by Kentucky big man Enes Kantner (Turkey), Jan Vesely (Czech Republic), and Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania) also were invited to attend.
Snubs: Several key snubs include Texas SG Jordan Hamilton, and Providence’s Marshon Brooks which have an outside chance of moving into the Lottery. International prospects Bismack Biyombo (Congo) and Donatas Motiejunas (Lithuania) also were also surprisingly not invited.
Check out footage of John Wall being selected #1 last year:
Check out our most recent Mock Draft 6.0 – Final Cut to find out our predictions as to where the top prospects will be chosen in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
