GAMECOCKBOY
06-29-2006, 06:24 AM
USC star’s future changes in a New York minute when Knicks surprisingly take him 20th overall
By KENT BABB
kbabb@thestate.com
Balkman timeline
Show him the denaro!
Complete coverage of the draft
Kinsey goes undrafted
Renaldo Balkman got his chance. Wednesday night, he got his wish.
Balkman, arguably the most popular USC player of the past decade, was drafted by the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA draft. He was the 20th overall pick.
“Everybody in the world was shocked,” said Balkman’s agent, Andre Buck. “Sure, some people said, ‘Who’s Renaldo Balkman?’ But I believed in the kid, and he obviously believed in himself. We believe in him.”
Still, it would have been hard to believe two months ago that Balkman, one of USC’s most erratic players as a junior, would be drafted in the first round. Most Web sites and scouting services predicted the 6-foot-7 forward would be selected no earlier than the middle of the second round. Some predicted he would not be drafted at all.
Attempts to reach Balkman on Wednesday night were unsuccessful.
Buck said Balkman worked out for the Knicks and met recently with new coach Isiah Thomas, who also is the team’s general manager.
“Balkman is a very unique talent, a very unique player,” Thomas told The Associated Press. “He reminds me a lot of a Dennis Rodman/Ron Artest-type player with his energy and defensive abilities.”
USC coach Dave Odom said Balkman’s experience playing at Madison Square Garden — the Gamecocks played four National Invitation Tournament games on the Knicks’ home court during the past two years — might have played into Thomas’ decision to take a chance on Balkman.
“Nobody has seen him play more often than the Knicks,” Odom said. “Maybe they know more than the rest of the league is aware of.”
But even USC fans might be stunned at how quickly Balkman went from being the NIT’s most outstanding player to a first-round pick. Two of his best performances this past season came in NIT games against Louisville and Michigan; USC officials announced a week later that Balkman planned to test the draft market.
Balkman, who averaged a team-best 6.3 rebounds per game during the 2005-06 season, is USC’s earliest draft pick since 1975, when the Boston Celtics selected Tom Boswell with the 17th overall pick.
Balkman was the third SEC player chosen in the first round. LSU’s Tyrus Thomas went third overall, and Arkansas’ Ronnie Brewer was the No. 14 choice.
That Balkman was selected in the first round gives the Tampa, Fla., native more bargaining power than he likely would have received as a second-round pick. Only first-round choices receive guaranteed contracts.
Odom, who had advised Balkman against entering the draft, admitted Wednesday that the draft proved him and other experts wrong.
“He certainly made the right choice,” Odom said. “There’s no question about it.”
Odom, who spoke with Thomas this week, said his “heart just started pounding” when Balkman’s name was called. Others watching the draft — which was held at Madison Square Garden — had a different reaction.
When Balkman’s selection was announced by commissioner David Stern, the boos rained down from New Yorkers in the crowd. However, longtime Knicks supporter Spike Lee was seen saying, “He’s a sleeper. A sleeper,” when Balkman’s name was called.
Said Thomas: “I think there was a lot of booing until they saw the highlight reel (of Balkman).”
Buck said Balkman is a perfect fit for the Knicks and for Thomas.
“He’s a New York style of player,” Buck said. “That kid plays so hard and does so many things that Isiah recognizes and appreciates. He probably looks at him and sees Dennis Rodman.”
Few would have looked at Balkman two months ago and seen him as a first-round pick. But now the charismatic forward has a fast start on an NBA career.
“It’s always been a possibility,” Odom said.
Reach Babb at (803) 771-8357. The Associated Press contributed to this story
By KENT BABB
kbabb@thestate.com
Balkman timeline
Show him the denaro!
Complete coverage of the draft
Kinsey goes undrafted
Renaldo Balkman got his chance. Wednesday night, he got his wish.
Balkman, arguably the most popular USC player of the past decade, was drafted by the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA draft. He was the 20th overall pick.
“Everybody in the world was shocked,” said Balkman’s agent, Andre Buck. “Sure, some people said, ‘Who’s Renaldo Balkman?’ But I believed in the kid, and he obviously believed in himself. We believe in him.”
Still, it would have been hard to believe two months ago that Balkman, one of USC’s most erratic players as a junior, would be drafted in the first round. Most Web sites and scouting services predicted the 6-foot-7 forward would be selected no earlier than the middle of the second round. Some predicted he would not be drafted at all.
Attempts to reach Balkman on Wednesday night were unsuccessful.
Buck said Balkman worked out for the Knicks and met recently with new coach Isiah Thomas, who also is the team’s general manager.
“Balkman is a very unique talent, a very unique player,” Thomas told The Associated Press. “He reminds me a lot of a Dennis Rodman/Ron Artest-type player with his energy and defensive abilities.”
USC coach Dave Odom said Balkman’s experience playing at Madison Square Garden — the Gamecocks played four National Invitation Tournament games on the Knicks’ home court during the past two years — might have played into Thomas’ decision to take a chance on Balkman.
“Nobody has seen him play more often than the Knicks,” Odom said. “Maybe they know more than the rest of the league is aware of.”
But even USC fans might be stunned at how quickly Balkman went from being the NIT’s most outstanding player to a first-round pick. Two of his best performances this past season came in NIT games against Louisville and Michigan; USC officials announced a week later that Balkman planned to test the draft market.
Balkman, who averaged a team-best 6.3 rebounds per game during the 2005-06 season, is USC’s earliest draft pick since 1975, when the Boston Celtics selected Tom Boswell with the 17th overall pick.
Balkman was the third SEC player chosen in the first round. LSU’s Tyrus Thomas went third overall, and Arkansas’ Ronnie Brewer was the No. 14 choice.
That Balkman was selected in the first round gives the Tampa, Fla., native more bargaining power than he likely would have received as a second-round pick. Only first-round choices receive guaranteed contracts.
Odom, who had advised Balkman against entering the draft, admitted Wednesday that the draft proved him and other experts wrong.
“He certainly made the right choice,” Odom said. “There’s no question about it.”
Odom, who spoke with Thomas this week, said his “heart just started pounding” when Balkman’s name was called. Others watching the draft — which was held at Madison Square Garden — had a different reaction.
When Balkman’s selection was announced by commissioner David Stern, the boos rained down from New Yorkers in the crowd. However, longtime Knicks supporter Spike Lee was seen saying, “He’s a sleeper. A sleeper,” when Balkman’s name was called.
Said Thomas: “I think there was a lot of booing until they saw the highlight reel (of Balkman).”
Buck said Balkman is a perfect fit for the Knicks and for Thomas.
“He’s a New York style of player,” Buck said. “That kid plays so hard and does so many things that Isiah recognizes and appreciates. He probably looks at him and sees Dennis Rodman.”
Few would have looked at Balkman two months ago and seen him as a first-round pick. But now the charismatic forward has a fast start on an NBA career.
“It’s always been a possibility,” Odom said.
Reach Babb at (803) 771-8357. The Associated Press contributed to this story