Mock draft has English as 33rd pick
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
At least one NBA Draft expert likes Carl English's chances.
NBADraft.net, a Web site that monitors potential NBA players throughout the year, is listing English as the No. 33 overall pick — to the Los Angeles Clippers with the fourth pick of the second round — in its latest mock draft.
"That might be a little high," said Aran Smith, president of NBADraft.net. "I think his chances of moving up to the first round will be much better (in 2004), but I think he's good enough to go in the second round this year."
English recently completed his junior season with the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team. Last week, he became the first Rainbow Warrior to declare for early entry into the NBA Draft.
The draft, which consists of two rounds, is scheduled for June 26 at New York.
English, 22, is in his final academic semester at UH. He is scheduled to graduate with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies next month.
English said yesterday that if the NBADraft.net mock draft were to hold true, he would probably not return to UH for his senior season.
"I still believe that I'll get drafted, maybe even higher than (the predicted No. 33)," said English, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard. "And I said before, if I can go in the late first or early second round, I have to try it."
English has not signed with an agent, and has until June 19 to withdraw from the early entry list.
"It's still early, so I really can't tell what people are thinking," English said. "I'll have a better idea of what's really going on after Chicago."
English plans to work out at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Chicago, June 3-6.
According to Smith, nbadraft.net updates its mock draft almost every week throughout the year. The predictions are based on conversations with NBA scouts, and basketball "insiders." Every pick for the two rounds is predicted, and it is considered one of the most comprehensive NBA Draft sites available outside of the actual NBA.
Smith said reaction to English's early entry was at both extremes.
"One of the guys I talked to thought (English) was crazy to even think about coming out," Smith said. "But there were others who have taken notice of him and like the way he can shoot it."
English was listed in the 2003 mock draft for the first time this week. Previously, he was listed as a high second-round pick in the 2004 draft.
Smith compares English to former Stanford guard Casey Jacobsen, who was a first-round pick of the Phoenix Suns last year.
English averaged 19.6 points per game and was a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection last season. He also set a UH record with 89 3-pointers.
"As far as athleticism, he's probably behind some of the others," Smith said. "But he's got that desire inside that some of the others don't. I think he has a future in the NBA."
However, Smith added that English was one of the first college players to declare for early entry, and more are expected within the next month. Because of that, Smith said he expects the mock draft to change weekly between today and June 25.
UH head coach Riley Wallace said he is still in support of English's decision, but added "it's a bad year to come out."
Wallace cited the high number of European players eligible for this year's draft as one factor. Another is a possible rule that could go into effect next year that would restrict the draft to players 20 and older.
"If that rule passes, and all the good Europeans come out this year, next year is wide open," Wallace said. "Carl would have nothing to lose by waiting."
Walking off?: Wallace said he does not expect forward Ikaika Alama-Francis to return to the basketball team next season.
Alama-Francis, a freshman walk-on out of Kalaheo High last season, started working out with the UH football team this week.
"I told him if he has a chance to get a football scholarship, he has my blessing to go after it," Wallace said. "I don't have a (basketball) scholarship available for him, and if he can get one somewhere else, he needs to go for it."
Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan, who is currently on basketball scholarship, also is working out with the football team. Wallace did not want to comment on Akpan's status.
However, Wallace said he thinks the days of football/basketball players are long gone.
"If both programs are successful — and both have been — it's almost impossible to play both," Wallace said. "And this basketball program has advanced to the point where it's a year-round sport."
Work in progress: Wallace was in New Orleans last weekend for the NCAA Final Four, and said several Division I coaches expressed interest in playing games in Hawai'i next season, although he did not want to reveal names.
A special "Rainbow Classic suite" was set up in New Orleans to lure potential opponents to Hawai'i.
"We don't have any guarantees, but there was a lot of interest," Wallace said. "If we can get some of those, it'll be a good schedule."
