June 27, 2006

South Carolina’s Tarence Kinsey and Renaldo Balkman are both preparing for the NBA Draft on Wednes., June 28 on ESPN at 7 pm. USC’s last two players drafted by the NBA: guard/forward Jamie Watson was drafted in the second round by the Utah Jazz in June, 1994 and center Ryan Stack was a second round pick in June, 1998 by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watson played for three seasons with the Utah Jazz and finished in 1997 with Dallas. Stack saw limed action with the Cavs during the 1998-99 season.

“Recent reports have both players in the mix and both realistically could be drafted,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “It will be interesting and fun to watch the early selections, understanding that trades and selection swaps all have a bearing on later draft choices. Hopefully both Tarence and Renaldo will be drafted and get a chance to show what they can do professionally. However we all know this is just the beginning. Whether they are drafted or not, they will certainly be given the opportunity to play in the NBA Summer League which will give them an opportunity to show what they can do against other fine players.”

As a senior last year Kinsey was named second team All-SEC by the coaches and third team All-SEC by AP. Kinsey averaged 34.8mpg, 15.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.6 spg and 0.3 bpg in 2005-06. He finished No 2 in school history in minutes played in a single season (1323). He led team in PPG, FG %, 3 PT %, and with 29 double figure games. He was second in MPG, SPG; and third in APG, RPG. He finished with 1204 career points, good for No. 25 on the career list. He scored 602 points last season.

Balkman, as a junior last season, averaged 25.7 mpg, 9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 bpg and 1.7 spg. He led the team in RPG, STL and third in PPG and fourth in APG. He was named SEC All-Tournament and the Most Valuable Player of the NIT Championship.

Both have worked out for a number of NBA teams and attended the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in early June in Orlando.

AT THE PRE-NBA DRAFT CAMP IN ORLANDO

Kinsey averaged 10.3 pts, 3.3 rebounds, 41.4% FG shooting, 70% FT shooting at the camp in early June.

Balkman earned first team NBA Pre-Draft Camp honors from draftexpress.com. NBAdraft.net lists him among the top 10 small forwards in the draft. At the Orlando Pre-draft camp he averaged 10.3 pts and 9 rebounds, with 44% FG shooting and 60% FT shooting as his team won all three games they played in Orlando.

The following are their physical measurements from the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando.

Kinsey * 6’4 3/4″ without shoes * 6’5 1/2″ with shoes * 179 pounds * 6’6 3/4″ wingspan * 8’4 1/2″ standing reach * 4.1 % body fat * 29″ no-step vertical leap, * 35 1/2″ vertical * 5 bench reps of 185 pounds * 10.67 seconds on lane agility drill * 3.3 seconds ¾ court sprint

Balkman * 6’5%1/4″ without shoes * 6’6&1/2″ with shoes * 206 pounds * 7’1″ wingspan * 8’5″ standing reach * 4.9% body fat * 30&1/2″ no-step vertical * 35″ vertical * 9 bench reps of 185 * 11.58 seconds on lane agility drill * 3.22 seconds ¾ court sprint

KINSEY SPOKE TO MEDIA AFTER HIS WORK-OUT WITH THE CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (from the Bobcats website)

He worked out with Adam Morrison and Rodney Carney.

(On working out against the other players): We had two of the best players in the draft here, and I just tried to hold my own with these guys. I think I had a good workout.

(On self-evaluations): I think all three of us have different games. Morrison can shoot anything — he has a power. Carney has more of an athletic game. And I have more of a mid-range game. But overall I think I could match up with these guys, and like I said, it is a privilege to have the chance to go up against these guys.

(On the workout): It was very tough. Usually you workout with four guys, but since there was only three, I think they sped things up a little. And they test your endurance and your mental state, but overall it was a really good body workout.

(On the draft): On the Internet it says undrafted, but every season you have a Cinderella team or a Cinderella player — hopefully I can be that player and get my named called on June 28.

KINSEY SPOKE TO MEDIA AFTER HIS WORK-OUT WITH THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS

(from the Bucks website)

How many teams have you worked out with?

This is my seventh workout. I’ve also worked with Houston, Golden State, the Lakers, New Jersey, New York, Memphis and Milwaukee.

Are the workouts pretty much the same?

Each one’s different because the coaches have different personalities. Some are stricter and some want to have a good time. The workouts are pretty much the same: zipper cuts, spot shooting and ball handling drills.

How do you think you did today?

I thought I did well. I thought that I showed that I could handle the ball. I showed that I can shoot mid-range. I showed that I can shoot long. I showed that I can create a shot in one-on-ones. I showed that I can do the same on two-on-twos. And I showed that I can defend.

What can you bring to an NBA team?

I can do whatever a coach needs. I’m very “coachable”. I learn quickly. If I was on an NBA team and they said “score more”, I could get in the mindset that would help me score. If they said “rebound more”, I could do that, or if they said “defend more”. I think I have the motivation to do things like that and get the job done.

You’re from Tampa, but you decided to go to school in South Carolina. What influenced your decision?

Mostly Florida schools recruited me, but I didn’t want to go to Florida. I love the SEC. My two favorite teams are Kentucky and Duke. So I thought that if I couldn’t go to one of those schools I would go to a place where I could play one of them.

What was it like to play such a big role for an NIT Championship team?

It was great. Some guys, when asked about their season, would say that their team didn’t have a lot of chemistry. I thought that we went through a lot of adversity and stuck together. We acted like a family. A family that prays together stays together. The team did that and that helped us a lot. And playing a big role and winning the NIT was even better. It gives you a little more spotlight. And I think I earned it by showing the team to get (to practice) early, work hard and don’t talk back to the coaches.

I can interact with guys. Even the guys here today. I already know them and call them buddy. I’m giving them high-fives and getting them water. That helps get me motivated and keeps me going. If I’m out there keeping quiet and not saying anything, that’s how I’m going to perform – quiet. So I like to be interactive.

You sound like you could one day make a great coach. Have you ever thought about that?

I’ve never thought about it. I think I could see myself doing that one-day.

Renaldo Balkman after his work-out with the New York Knicks

Balkman, who has raised his level of play to never-before-seen heights in the NIT Final Four, couldn’t agree more. “I know the streets of New York and I LOVED playing at the Garden,” he intoned in his pleasant basso profundo. “Man, that place was magic. It inspired me to do things on the floor I never even knew I was able to do.”

Balkman, who’s often been called `a poor man’s (Dennis) Rodman,’ takes that comparison as a great compliment. “Sure,” he smiles. “Sometimes I feel I’m just like him. I like to go out there, play hard, do whatever it takes to win, running the floor, hitting the boards, jump into the stands, cause havoc, whatever.”

“That extra energy and hustle is the key to my making the league,” added Balkman. “I fully realize that.” –from NY Knicks website

THE NBA DRAFT, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 AT 7 PM ON ESPN

2006 NBA Draft Order

Round 1

1. Toronto

2. Chicago

3. Charlotte

4. Portland

5. Atlanta

6. Minnesota

7. Boston

8. Houston

9. Golden State

10. Seattle

11. Orlando

12. New Orleans/Oklahoma City

13. Philadelphia

14. Utah

15. New Orleans/Oklahoma City

16. Chicago

17. Indiana

18. Washington

19. Sacramento

20. New York

21. Phoenix

22. New Jersey

23. New Jersey

24. Memphis

25. Cleveland

26. LA Lakers

27. Phoenix

28. Dallas

29. New York

30. Portland

NBA Draft, Round 2

31. Portland

32. Houston

33. Atlanta

34. LA Clippers

35. Toronto

36. Minnesota

37. Minnesota

38. Golden State

39. Milwaukee

40. Seattle

41. Orlando

42. Cleveland

43. New Orleans/Oklahoma City

44. Orlando

45. Indiana

46. Utah

47. Utah

48. Washington

49. Denver

50. Charlotte

51. LA Lakers

52. LA Clippers

53. Seattle

54. New Jersey

55. Cleveland

56. Toronto

57. Minnesota

58. Dallas

59. San Antonio

60. Detroit

Round one selections generally receive a three-year guaranteed contract with a team option for a fourth year. Round two selections generally receive non-guaranteed contract for two years.