English awaits NBA Draft

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The English exams are all but over, yet the biggest question lingers:

ENGLISH

Some think it's a matter of when. As in, when will he be drafted?

Others think it's a matter of if. As in, if he is going to be selected at all.

English is seeking to become the first University of Hawai'i player to be drafted by an NBA team since Reggie Cross in 1989. Only 12 players in UH history have been selected in the NBA Draft.

"I feel like I've done everything I needed to do," said English, a 6-foot-5 guard. "I showed what I'm capable of; now it's up to one of them to take a chance on me."

According to ESPN basketball analyst Andy Katz, English was "among the top 10 to 15" players at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp at Chicago earlier this month.

Since then, English has attended private workouts for six NBA teams — the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Hawks invited English for a second look, so he is in Atlanta today for his final workout. Atlanta has the No. 21 pick in the first round, and the eighth pick (No. 37 overall) in the second round.

"It's difficult to know what a team is thinking," said Harold Cipin, English's Toronto-based agent. "But (a second workout) generally means that there is some serious consideration."

Rising stock

English's stock has soared in the last month. Defying questions about his quickness and strength, English has apparently dazzled teams with his shooting skills and relentless aggressiveness.

After he declared for early entry into the draft in April, English was barely mentioned in mock drafts across the Internet. Now, some of the so-called draft experts are assuring English a spot.

"He'll get drafted," Katz said. "I think he has a chance to sneak in the first round, but with all the foreign players expected to go (in the first round), he'll probably get pushed to the second round."

Aran Smith, president of NBAdraft.net — one of the most extensive NBA Draft sites on the Internet — is listing English as the fifth pick of the second round, No. 34 overall.

"I'd be surprised if he doesn't get drafted," Smith said.

Proven versatility

Prior to the Pre-Draft Camp, some NBA coaches and scouts said English needed to prove himself as a point guard to increase his chances. Instead, English proved his worth as a combination guard — a shooting guard with dribbling skills.

The Timberwolves, for example, are now looking at English purely as a shooting guard.

"He's got decent ball-handling skills, but his strength is his shooting," said Don Zierden, an assistant coach for the Timberwolves. "We brought him in with other (shooting) guards and it's safe to say that he made our list (of draft prospects)."

Minnesota has the No. 26 pick in the first round, and Internet rumors this week had English as one of three players the Timberwolves might select with that pick.

A representative from the Timberwolves called The Advertiser this week as part of a background check on English.

English has also been mentioned in rumors involving the Raptors, although it would likely take a trade for him to wind up with his "home" team.

Focusing on workouts

English was born and raised in Patrick's Cove, Newfoundland, Canada. Since graduating from UH in May, he has been living with his oldest brother, Peter, in Toronto.

"There hasn't been time for me to relax and really think about things," English said. "I'm just so focused on the workouts."

UH head coach Riley Wallace has gone "on record" saying that English's decision to enter the NBA Draft was a mistake. However, Wallace said yesterday that English appears to be "on his way to proving people wrong again."

"It's going to be a bad move only if he doesn't make it (in the NBA)," Wallace said. "Even if he's picked in the second round, or signs as a free agent, and still makes it, then obviously it's a good decision. I guarantee he's worked hard enough to make it."

Difficult journey

His life story and incredible journey from Patrick's Cove to UH have been well-documented in national publications.

English's parents were killed in a house fire when he was 5, and he was raised after that by an uncle and aunt — Junior and Betty McGrath. Junior McGrath died two years ago while fishing with English.

Through it all, English found his escape through basketball. He learned to play the game with his brothers on a self-constructed roadside hoop, sometimes in freezing temperatures.

"People have to understand how much Carl wants this," Peter English said. "He didn't make a decision to leave (UH). He made a decision to chase his dream."

Tomorrow, more than 20 of English's friends and relatives will gather in a Toronto restaurant to watch the draft. All five of the English brothers will be there, along with Betty McGrath. A government representative from their hometown is also expected to attend.

"When his name is called, you'll hear us cheering over there in Hawai'i," Peter said. "I can't begin to tell you how much pride everybody has put behind Carl for this."

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