The 2011 NBA Development League Draft took place on Thursday night via conference call. This morning's report was going to be a sort of D-League draft grades post, but considering there are still a number of trade rumblings floating through my iPhone's message list, that will be have to be held off on for a little while.
Instead, on this lovely Friday morning, let's talk about Mac Koshwal and the Bakersfield Jam. The Jam had an outstanding draft -- which shouldn't have been hard considering they amassed three first round picks -- but it turned out even better than most might imagine when all was said and done.
The official board for the Jam had them selecting Siena's Edwin Ubiles, Koshwal out of DePaul and Virginia's Mustapha Farrakhan with their trio of first round picks. Before the night was over, however, Bakersfield flipped Ubiles and fellow draft pick Travis Walton (out of Michigan) to the Dakota Wizards for Osiris Eldridge and Renaldo Major.
That's an outstanding haul considering the draft's circumstances, but Koshwal could end up being the best haul of the entire draft.
Koshwal played last season for La Laguna Socas Canarias in Spain's LEB Gold division alongside Mike Gansey, the best ever D-League blogger the world has ever seen, so I've got my fair share of scouting reports on Koshwal already. The folks down at IMG Academies supplied me with a bit more information on the Chicago native, however, which I'll now share with everyone else.
"I had to be mentally tough in Spain and this will help me greatly this year," Koshwal said prior to being selected in Thursday night's draft. "I made myself work to get better and understand better what the pro game is like."
Koshwal, a player ESPN's Marc Stein heard could be the top overall pick, has been putting in work while preparing for his D-League opportunity.
"I have a great shot to be an impact player and because many teams have shown high interest in me, I am working hard to make the most of this opportunity," Koshwal said. "IMG is a great spot, they work with you on and off the court."
Further 2011 D-League Draft reading available here:
- 2011 NBA D-League Draft Results: Jamaal Tinsley, Alando Tucker And A Cloud Of Dust
- 2011 NBA D-League Draft Primer, News, Notes And Some Trades
- Mock Draft?
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Durrell Summers, Mustapha Farrakhan & Cory Higgins Among Top D-League Rookies
- Jamal Sampson, Chris Taft And Jamaal Tinsley Compelling Comeback Stories In D-League Draft
- 2011 NBA D-League Draft Includes Jamaal Tinsley, Jamal Sampson, Alando Tucker & Durrell Summers
- Jamaal Tinsley, The D-League Draft And What Else To Expect
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