2008 Woodie Awards
Calathes may hear his name called on Draft Day
Pat Carney '08
Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: Sports
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In just 47 days, Calathes, '08, hopes to hear these words from NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. For now, it is only a reality in the latest mock draft on draftexpress.com.
After checking off several personal and team goals in his senior season, Calathes, a First Team Atlantic 10 selection, continues to train hard after his team's loss to Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, as he hopes to be selected in the NBA Draft.
"In my heart of hearts, my sense is that he will be drafted in the second round", said Saint Joseph's head coach Phil Martelli.
Martelli believes Calathes projects as a second-round player for a Western Conference team. He believes the more open style of play out West will suit Calathes' skill set.
Calathes has already begun to woo scouts at the Portsmouth Invitational, a tournament for college seniors looking to improve their stock in the NBA Draft. Calathes was named to the All-Tournament Team, averaging 15 points per game and shooting 56.3 percent from the field.
"[The scouts at Portsmouth] were very impressed with his fearlessness…and his skill set," said Martelli. "They voiced concerns about his defense and upper body strength."
Calathes' next chance to work out for NBA scouts will be when the Casselberry, Fla. native heads home to take part in the 2008 Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando on May 27-30.
Calathes didn't take the easiest path to the doorstep of the NBA. He averaged 1.9 and 4.8 points per game in his first two years on Hawk Hill, respectively. Now, Calathes is focused on only one goal: being drafted.
"Hopefully, I'll be the next Hawks player selected in the NBA draft," said Calathes in his senior speech at the Men's Basketball Awards Banquet.
For Martelli and the Hawks, another player drafted will go a long way in improving the profile of the program on the national scene.
"When you're selling [the program to prospective recruits] that you're going to improve in this program, this is who we can point to," said Martelli.
Could we see Calathes staying on City Avenue next year as a member of the 76ers at their PCOM practice facility?
"I will pick his [Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Ed Stafanski] brain and Eddie will pick mine," said Martelli.
For now, it is one day at a time for Calathes. Calathes and the Hawk basketball community will have to hold their collective breath each time Silver comes to the microphone, hoping his words will transform a two-year benchwarmer to an NBA player.
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