Weems’ NBA Draft Stock A Mystery

FAYETTEVILLE — He increased his draft possibilities with an all-Southeastern Conference campaign. He wowed observers with his unrivaled athleticism at the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando. He garnered invitations for individual workouts from more than half of the sport’s professional franchises.

Yet still, former Arkansas basketball player Sonny Weems has no assurances entering tonight’s NBA Draft. Could be a relatively short night of waiting for the 6-foot-6 native of West Memphis. Could be a frustrating evening of nibbling on fingernails, as well.

“He’s a guy that might be grabbed at the very top of the second round,” said Ryan Blake, assistant director of scouting for the NBA. “Then again, he could maybe not get drafted at all. It only takes one team to like him, but this draft is so deep. There are a lot of guards and only so many draft spots.”

As of Wednesday night, ESPN.com’s Chad Ford wrote that he thought Weems would be selected by the Miami Heat at No. 52. DraftExpress.com agreed with Ford about the Heat, but NBADraft.net predicted Weems would go to the Indiana Pacers at No. 41.

Roger Montgomery, Weems’ agent, said Weems proved at the Orlando draft camp that he belonged on an NBA roster.

“I think he was able to showcase that he’s able to do a lot of different things,” Montgomery said. “He showed he could handle the basketball, which some people doubted he could do. He showed he could guard smaller, athletic guards. And he showed he could score in different ways.”

Weems averaged 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 42.6 percent from 3-point range during Southeastern Conference play this season. But Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said Weems boosted his chances of being drafted with more than jump shots and dunks.

“He had a great season because he played harder than he had ever played before,” Pelphrey said. “He’s blessed with God-given ability, he’s a great role model and teammate, and he does the right things. All of that has put him in this position.”

Whether that’s enough to get Weems drafted isn’t exactly known. He likely will, Blake said. But even if Weems doesn’t hear his name called, Blake said the former Razorback shouldn’t worry.

“If he doesn’t get drafted, the moment the draft is over, his phone will be ringing with free-agent offers,” Blake said. “In the end, that could end up to be the best thing for him. Then, he’s in the driver’s seat, and he has his choice.”



2008 NBA Draft Order

At New York

First Round

1. Chicago

2. Miami

3. Minnesota

4. Seattle

5. Memphis

6. New York

7. L.A. Clippers

8. Milwaukee

9. Charlotte

10. New Jersey

11. Indiana

12. Sacramento

13. Portland

14. Golden State

15. Phoenix (from Atlanta)

16. Philadelphia

17. Toronto

18. Washington

19. Cleveland

20. Denver

21. New Jersey (from Dallas)

22. Orlando

23. Utah

24. Seattle (from Phoenix)

25. Houston

26. San Antonio

27. New Orleans

28. Memphis (from L.A. Lakers)

29. Detroit

30. Boston

Second Round

31. Minnesota (from Miami through Boston)

32. Seattle

33. Portland (from Memphis)

34. Minnesota (may be conveyed to Detroit)

35. LA Clippers

36. Portland (from New York)

37. Milwaukee

38. Charlotte

39. Chicago

40. New Jersey

41. Indiana

42. Sacramento (from Atlanta)

43. Sacramento

44. Utah (from Philadelphia)

45. San Antonio (from Toronto)

46. Seattle (from Portland through Boston)

47. Washington

48. Phoenix (from Cleveland)

49. Golden State

50. Seattle (from Denver)

51. Dallas

52. Miami (from Orlando)

53. Utah

54. Houston

55. Portland (from Phoenix through Indiana)

56. Seattle (from New Orleans through Houston)

57. San Antonio

58. L.A. Lakers

59. Detroit

60. Boston



Teams that finished the regular season with identical records will select in the second round in the reverse of the order in which they select in the first round.