The 2010 NBA Draft will be held in New York City on Thursday night, and it could be the first time in eight years that an Arizona player won’t be selected in the draft.
Former Wildcat Nic Wise has worked out for seven NBA teams and has received some positive feedback, but the 5-foot-10 guard probably won’t hear his name come Thursday night.
“”He got good reviews from his Indiana, Sacramento and his Rockets workouts,”” said former Arizona player Jawann McClellan, who has known Wise his entire life and has worked him out for the last month in preparation for pre-draft workouts.
“”(Teams) have said he’s been the best in one-on-one drills, and he’s looking good,”” he said. “”I don’t know about getting drafted, but hopefully he can get on a summer league team and go from there.””
One of Wise’s coaches from his freshman year at the UA, Jim Rosborough, thinks if given the opportunity, the small guard can make it in the NBA.
“”I think if he gets a chance in the pros, he can be very good in some pick-and-roll situations,”” Rosborough said. “”He can get the ball up the floor in a hurry, he has some quickness, I think he has a shot.””
Rosborough has talked to some scouts and they have told him his chances of being in the league are good.
“”Scouts have said even if he isn’t drafted, if he has a good agent, he has a chance,”” Rosborough said.
Wise’s size is often mentioned as an obstacle in making it in the NBA, but the former Wildcat assistant coach doesn’t think it’s as big of a deal due to Wise’s skill set.
“”I don’t know if the size will be critical. I know they like the guys that are like 6-foot-3,”” he said. “”If he gets to a team that needs a backup point guard, and he can defend adequately, I don’t think size will be a problem.””
If Wise is not chosen in Thursday’s draft, it will be the first time since 2002 that no Wildcat has been selected in the NBA Draft.
Though there is a strong possibility that he won’t be on an NBA roster next year, Wise is willing to go overseas to further his basketball career.
“”He’s very open to going overseas because he’s been to France to play several times,”” McClellan said.
McClellan said Wise knows his chances of being drafted are slim, but he is clearly aware of the draft process.
“”He knows the reality, he knows he has a small window, but he’s still confident in himself,”” McClellan said. “”He has to wait and see what happens and leave it in God’s hands.””
