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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, June 4, 2003

English hopes to prove his point

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

CARL ENGLISH

On the first day of the NBA Pre-Draft Camp yesterday, Carl English measured up to the competition.

English, the record-setting shooting guard from the University of Hawai'i, is one of 65 prospects participating in the four-day camp.

"I'm more excited than nervous," English said. "There were about 400 NBA personnel watching us today and we didn't really do a whole lot."

Yesterday's opening day was mostly for players to be measured and weighed, and introduced to the other participants.

English checked in at 6 feet, 5 inches and 201 pounds, with a wingspan of 6 feet 6.

"That was fine because that's what I've been listed at all this time," he said. "I wanted my weight to be higher, but I've been working hard the last couple weeks so that probably brought it down."

After the measurements, the players were separated into six teams. Those teams will scrimmage each other over the next three days, starting today.

English said his team practiced for a few hours, but mostly at half-speed.

"We went over some of the basic plays," he said. "Just making sure everybody's on the same page."

English said he practiced at both point guard and shooting guard.

"That's a good thing," he said. "I'm probably going to have to play the point (guard) at the next level, but I want to show that I can play more than one spot."

ESPN.com recently listed English as one of "20 players who could make or break their draft status" at the Pre-Draft Camp. According to the report, if English can prove that he can play point guard, he "has a chance to move himself up in the draft."

"I've played point before, so it's nothing new," English said.

English is currently listed as a second round pick (No. 48 overall) in a mock draft on nbadraft.net.

English said his teammates this week include Creighton's Kyle Korver — who is also English's roommate — Marcus Hatten of St. John's and Andre Emmett of Texas Tech.

English averaged 19.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior last season.

In April, he became the first player in UH history to declare for early entry into the NBA Draft.

The draft is scheduled for June 26. If English's draft prospects are not favorable, he has until June 19 to withdraw.