Winners
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Shelvin Mack: The Butler star definitely leapfrogged a few picks higher than many though, landing at No. 34 overall with Washington. The Wizards had a great draft overall landing Jan Vesley and Chris Singleton as well, and while Mack isn't garnering nearly as many headlines as his two new rookie teammates, he finds himself in a pretty solid scenario backing up John Wall. Mack has a winning mentality, is a smart player and has shown that he can be a true point guard in doses. He will get that opportunity with the Wizards where his big game experience will be a valuable addition to a young, developing team.
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Losers
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Norris Cole: OK, the pro is that Cole stands a good chance to win an NBA Championship in his rookie season assuming he sticks on the Miami Heat roster. The cons? For starters, being under the glaring spotlight that is South Beach these days is an enormous weight to bear for anyone on the roster, let alone a rookie from Cleveland State. Furthermore, I don't know if Cole is even necessarily the second best point guard on this team right now. He's smaller than Mario Chalmers and not anywhere close to him as a defender. Then there's Mike Bibby, an aging veteran to be sure, but still savvy enough to run the show when called to. There are likely better situations that Cole could have landed in to be sure and the D-League certainly seems like a very plausible scenario at this point.
Ball Don’t Lie’s 2011 NBA draft grades--Ball Don't Lie
Miami Heat
Additions: Norris Cole
Grade: B+
There were analysts that were high on Cole Thursday night, but my thinking is more Heat-based than anything.
This was a team that essentially bought back its initial first-round pick (sent to Toronto in the Chris Bosh(notes) deal, which sent it to Chicago who then sent it to Minnesota and back to Miami) in order to add talented depth at a position they need help in. Cole may not usurp Mario Chalmers(notes) at any point in the next three years, but he can play at the NBA level. And for a team entering the draft with the 31st pick to deal with, this was a sound hire.
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Washington Wizards
Additions: Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack.
Grade: A+
Vesely fawning aside, this was a terrific draft. Vesely will be must-watch TV for those of us who dread pulling up Wizards games on a Tuesday at 7 at night, Singleton is a needed lockdown defender who might allow Flip Saunders to bust out his zone defense once again, and I don't understand why other teams underrated Shelvin Mack. This isn't an area where I want to be proven wrong.
No boffo names, but Washington did well to surround John Wall(notes) with some eager types who couldn't be bothered with the team's recent history. Well done.
Mack's draft day begins with calm, ends with emotion--CBS Sports
Wizards get Butler's Mack in 2nd round--Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
2011 NBA Draft: List of Notable College Stars Who Went Undrafted--Yard Barker
Matt Howard: (Butler)
Wizards draft Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack--Washington Post
Monson: Even without Jimmer, Jazz draft stars--Salt Lake Tribune
For the Jazz — who now, mixed among their veterans, feature a formidable young front line that includes promise all around: Kanter in the middle, Derrick Favors on the left, and Gordon Hayward on the right — Thursday night wasn’t perfect, but it had at least the look and feel of a success.
Burks eager to compete for Jazz minutes--Salt Lake Tribune
And Burks is someone whom the Jazz are relying on to play multiple positions. Already, there is talk of pairing Burks and Gordon Hayward together in the backcourt when matchups dictate. Burks will immediately be counted on to break down a defense off the dribble and to create mismatches when he has the ball in his hands.
Kragthorpe: They’re even younger now, so when will Jazz get better?--Salt Lake Tribune
Bigger, deeper Jazz enter summer of uncertainty--Salt Lake Tribune
Utah was known more during recent seasons for losing key players such as Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Wesley Matthews, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer than it was for adding premier talent. Now, the Jazz have a foundation of diverse youth — Kanter, Favors, Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks — to build upon. And once the league has a new collective bargaining agreement in place and a restructured salary cap is established, a Utah franchise with a significantly declining payroll will have multiple pieces to trade, sell or keep.
Monson: Jazz are a classic unfinished poem--Salt Lake Tribune
As constituted, the Jazz look as though they’ve accelerated their rebuilding project. Check out the breakdown of the options on their roster:
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Small forwards: Gordon Hayward, Millsap, Jeremy Evans
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The Jazz have to fire enough bombs to make space for that inside game, where the big men can more freely do their business. Okur, if he gets back to form, can shoot it. Hayward transformed his game during his rookie year with newfound efficiency from deep. Beyond that, who’s going to nail jumpers, particularly out of the pick and roll?
Hoosier Digest: Butler's Marshall on U-19 national team--The Indy Star
Butler's Shelvin Mack goes to Washington--The Indy Star
Butler's Howard may play in Europe; Mack headed to Wizards--The Indy Star
Wizards get Mack in 2nd round--Butler Collegian
2011 NBA Draft Results, Grades: Miami Heat--Opposing Views
Norris Cole Drafted By Chicago Bulls, Heading to Miami Heat in Trade--The Cleveland Leader
2 trades later, Cole lands with the Heat--Dayton Daily News
Norris Cole feels the Heat--Fox Sports Ohio
Miami Heat Trade Up to Select Cleveland State's Norris Cole--Bleacher Report
Instant Analysis: Norris Cole--NBA.com
Miami Heat top pick Norris Cole impressed team during workouts--Miami Herald
With Norris Cole, Heat get up to speed--Sun-Sentinel
First round picks of the 2011 NBA Draft--Deseret News
28. Norris Cole, G, 6-1, Clev. St.
CHICAGO BULLS (traded to Miami via Minnesota)
Lesser known but certainly no less productive than the big-name point guards int he draft, Cole put up impressive numbers (21.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 5.3 apg) as a senior at Cleveland State.
Heat complete trade for point guard Norris Cole--Deseret News
The Tribune’s 2011 NBA Draft analysis--Salt Lake Tribune
No. 28 » Norris Cole, Miami Heat; 6-foot-2, 170 pounds; Guard, Cleveland State
Instant analysis • Cole played four season at Cleveland State, which plays in the same conference at Butler, so the competition might be better than it looks at first. He averaged 21.7 points and 5.8 assists per game as a senior, but he shot only 32 percent on three-pointers during his career. His perimeter game must improve in the NBA.
Verdict • Taken by Chicago and traded to Miami, Cole could be a perfect fit for the point guard-challenged Heat. His ballhandling and presence on defense should take considerable pressure off Dwyane Wade, which can only help the All-Star’s effectiveness.
Viking Notes: Norris Cole Joins the Miami Heat--Cleveland State Hoops
2012 NBA Draft: Top 50 Prospects--Yard Barker
39. Ray McCallum 6'1'' Guard-Detroit Titans
Despite struggling most of the season, Ray McCallum almost averaged 10-5-5 during his freshman season at Detroit. McCallum has elite handle, good passing skills and is flying under the radar. He should be much better than his stats show if he declares for the 2012 draft.
UIC Student-Athletes Recognized On 2011 Spring Academic Honor Roll--uicflames.com
Loyola Places 80 on Spring Academic Honor Roll--LoyolaRamblers.com
Chrissy Dizon Named Coordinator of Basketball Operations--LoyolaRamblers.com
Catching Up With...Daniel Turner--uwgbathletics.com
Five WSU opponents from 2010-11 selected in NBA Draft--Wright State University Sports
Fifty-Seven Penguins Named to Spring Horizon League Academic Honor Roll--ysusports.com
731 Student-Athletes Compose 2011 Spring Horizon League Academic Honor Roll--Horizon League Network
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