Sunday, June 29, 2008

Georgetown Coach John Thompson III watched Thursday's NBA draft at his home with former players Roy Hibbert and Patrick Ewing Jr. A little after 9 p.m., the Toronto Raptors took Hibbert with the 17th pick (they then are expected to traded him to Indiana); shortly after 11 p.m., the Sacramento Kings chose Ewing at 43rd overall. It was the first time multiple Georgetown players were drafted in the same year since 1996, when Allen Iverson (first overall) and Jerome Williams (26th) went in the first round and Othella Harrington was taken in the second.

You're nervous, you're anxious, because there are no absolutes when it comes to the NBA draft. As their coach, I feel pretty good about their level of preparedness. . . .

The draft is over now. The number next to your name? Great, you can talk about that and feel good about that, but starting tomorrow you have to go to work. Starting tomorrow, you have to show up in a strange city with a new coach, with new teammates and be able to perform. I feel very good about their ability to succeed at what starts tomorrow morning. . . .

I was making recruiting calls [while watching the draft].

You're watching what's going on, and you're worried about them because it's a nerve-racking process for them. Particularly since Roy goes [at No.] 17 and then there's a big gap between where Roy goes and where Patrick goes. Now Patrick goes probably to who we thought he would go, but I don't know the time frame [between picks]. Was it two hours? That's a long time. Roy is relieved, but Patrick is still sitting there. You're worried about his state.

-- Interview by Camille Powell