June 28, 2006

South Carolina junior forward Renaldo Balkman has been drafted No. 20 in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Balkman is the highest Gamecock NBA draft pick since Tom Boswell was drafted No. 17 in the first round by the Boston Celtics in 1975. He was the third player drafted out of the SEC, only topped by Tyrus Thomas of LSU (No. 4) and Ronnie Brewer of Arkansas (No. 14).

Balkman, a rising senior, averaged 25.7 mpg, 9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 bpg and 1.7 spg his junior year. He led team in RPG, STL; he was third in PPG and fourth in APG. He was named SEC All-Tournament and the Most Valuable Player of the NIT Championship. The team, 23-15, lost 49-47 in the SEC Championship game to eventual NCAA champion Florida and then went on to defeat Michigan 76-64 in the NIT title game.

Other high draft picks by the Gamecocks include: Brian Winters drafted by the Lakers in the first round (#12 overall) of the 1974 NBA Draft. He was a member of the NBA’s All-Rookie Team that season. John Roche was drafted No. 14 by Phoenix (1971) and Tom Riker was drafted No. 8 by New York (1972).

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.

Did Balkman being drafted by in the first round surprise Odom? He laughs with a big smile, “Pleasantly, yes, very pleasantly surprised. I am delighted. It’s a big day for the Gamecocks, particularly for our basketball program.”

Odom has known New York Knicks Head Coach Isiah Thomas since he was high school as Odom coached Thomas in Five Star Basketball Camp. South Carolina icon George Glymph is an assistant coach with the Knicks and was on hand for USC’s NIT run in the Garden.

Where did Odom expect Balkman to be drafted today – what was he thinking? “I thought about it throughout the day periodically,” said Odom. “More from the standpoint I hope things go well for him. It was out of my hands at that point. I talked to all the general managers throughout yesterday and there were no calls today. I think everybody had made his or her minds up today. There wasn’t a lot of conversation today. I thought their minds had been made up and there was no conversation to be had.”

Any idea he might be No. 20 tonight? “It did peak my interest a little bit when the Knicks name came up at No. 20 because I had justly spoken to Isiah a few days ago and visited with him down in Orlando at the NBA camp.

“My wife had gone to the store to get something for tomorrow morning and she wasn’t here. She walked in from the store and I said `have you heard?’ and she said `are you kidding?’

“It’s a great night for Gamecocks, for Renaldo and for me. I am happy for all of them. He has come out of no where in the last 3-4 months and he has now been given a tremendous opportunity. Now he has to prove it. He is ready to take that challenge on and certainly if him being drafted No. 20 isn’t surprising enough, it won’t be if he makes the team either,” said Odom.

How do you feel about him being in the draft now? “I didn’t think it was wrong for him to go into the draft, but I did think it was wrong for him to get an agent – even if he was drafted No. 20. I have nothing but good feelings for Renaldo Balkman. South Carolina did for him as he did for us. He will always remain as one of South Carolina’s most popular players.

“I am happy for him and it does have an effect on recruiting because it shows progress. He had almost no coaching coming in here and our coaching staff worked extremely hard with him and he learned well. By the end of his junior year, he performed well and I think it shows we are doing something right. He exhibits the best in progression. He comes in at one level and leaves at another. There will be a lot of excitement with media and fans if he is ready. Being drafted in the first round is certainly a lot more money for him.

“We were patient with him as a person and as a player,” said Odom. “He worked with us and responded to us. Sometimes when things unfold, they unfold quickly. You look back at the tail end of our season and you look at what gave this a chance to flourish when our roster became thinner. What really started it, was the NIT semi-finals and the Finals in Madison Square Garden. He got 8-9 dunks, was all over ESPN Sportscenter and he continued it down in Orlando and made the most of it.

“I will be the fist to say he will go to New York and win their hearts,” said Odom. “It’s a great place to go with the way he plays and the way he looks and he will win their hearts. I don’t doubt that. They will love him.”