The 2010 NBA Draft is tonight and two key players from the Syracuse squad that reached the NCAA "Sweet 16" have a strong interest in the proceedings. Forward Wes Johnson is a probable lottery pick while guard Andy Rautins has attracted NBA clubs with the workout sessions he's participated in prior to the draft.
The Draft is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Madison Square Garden in New York City, which hosts the BIG EAST Conference Tournament each year, will host the event. It consists of two rounds of choices.
Most pre-draft predictions have Johnson heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fourth overall pick. If the choices play out that way, Johnson would join former Syracuse standout Jonny Flynn, who was a first-round pick last season.
Syracuse is poised to be the only school to have players selected in the top 10 of the first round in 2009 and 2010. SU has had 16 players picked in the first round, starting with Dave Bing in 1966. Six of the 16 have been tabbed in the first 10 picks. The Orange program has had individuals selected in four of the last five years -- Hakim Warrick (2005), Demetris Nichols (2006), Donte Greene (2008) and Flynn (2009). Warrick, Greene and Flynn were first-round picks and Nichols was taken in the second round.
Rautins' stock has improved based on off-season workouts he's done with NBA clubs. Should he be selected, he would give Syracuse two players in the draft for the first time since 1986. Dwayne "Pearl" Washington was the 13th overall pick, Rafael Addison went in the second round and Tony Bruin was a third-round selection.
Johnson and Rautins helped Syracuse to a 30-5 record, the BIG EAST Conference regular-season championship, a number one ranking, and the NCAA Tournament in 2009-10. Johnson was named a consensus All-American and BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year. He led Syracuse in scoring (16.5), rebounding (8.5) and minutes-played (35.0) averages. He started all 35 games.
Rautins was also with the first string all season. His 98 three-pointers led the Orange, as did his .815 free-throw percentage and his assist (4.9) and steal (2.0) averages. Rautins averaged 12.1 points per game, good for second on the club. He was a second-team All-BIG EAST pick.
Center Arinze Onuaku is also draft eligible. He played in 31 games and averaged 10.5 points and 5.1 rebounds as a senior. A knee injury suffered in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament cut short his campaign. He set school records for season (.688) and career (.648) field-goal percentage.