By ADAM ZAGORIA
Khadeen Carrington, Angel Delgado and Desi Rodriguez all want to hear their names called during Thursday’s NBA Draft.
But there’s a chance none of them of will. None of the Seton Hall guys are projected to be drafted per ESPN.com’s latest mock.
That will leave the trio with options beginning Friday. They can try to latch on to an NBA team for summer league. If that results in a two-way contract or a full-time roster spot, great. If not, the NBA G League or overseas remain options. Former Seton Hall guard Jordan Theodore is now making a life for himself overseas while playing in Italy.
“I think guys get a little bit too wrapped up if they get drafted or not,” Pirates coach Kevin Willard said Monday. “I think sometimes it can be better [if you don’t get drafted] because your agent can put you with a team that actually needs you. So I think that’s a good thing.”
The 6-foot-6 Rodriguez has had a number of workouts with NBA teams, including the Lakers on Monday and the Warriors on Tuesday.
“My plans if I don’t get drafted are to find a summer league team that I could show my talents on and be able to get an opportunity to get on a team,” he said earlier this month.
Rodriguez added that it would be a lifelong dream to hear his name called on Thursday. He plans to be at home in The Bronx for the Draft.
“It would mean a lot,” he said. “I think it would mean more to my family because this is all I do it for. It would definitely upset me emotionally because that’s my No. 1 goal, is to get my named called across the stage. If that happens, I will be happy.”
As for Delgado, who won the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award and averaged 13.6 points and 11.8 rebounds this past season, he has had a slew of workouts, most recently with the 76ers on Monday.
“I’m just focused on the Draft right now,” he said recently. “I’m focused on getting the best of me right now and be positive the whole time.”
If he isn’t drafted, “Delgado will be on someone’s summer league for sure,” one NBA executive told ZAGSBLOG recently.
The 6-3 Carrington has also had several NBA workouts, although not as many as Rodriguez and Delgado.
“All of the feedback I’ve gotten has been great,” Willard said. “They’ve all worked out really well, everyone really likes them and just wants to get to know them more.”
SETON HALL HIRES MONMOUTH’S WOODWARD
Monmouth’s Duane Woodward will join the Seton Hall staff July 1, replacing Freddie Hill, a source confirmed to ZAGSBLOG. The news was first reported by Jerry Carino. Woodward is a Cardozo High School grad with strong ties in the New York/New Jersey area.
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