NBA Draft: In-state players' names not called
Leading up to Thursday's NBA Draft, most league experts predicted in their mock drafts that University of Utah center Luke Nevill would go unselected.
They were right.
Despite a resume that included a Mountain West Conference Player of the Year award and a frame that stretches to 7-foot-2, Nevill was bypassed in the NBA Draft's 60 selections. Nevill will now have to sign with a team as a free agent, and earning a roster spot will be difficult.
Nevill's agent, Keith Glass, said late Thursday that he and Nevill will quickly decide which team the Australian center will try to latch on with.
It had to have been disheartening for Nevill to go unpicked in what was a weak draft class — especially at his position. Only three centers were selected on Thursday. ESPN's Chad Ford ranked Nevill as the eighth-best center available.
The Jazz contemplated taking Nevill with their No. 50 pick in the second round, but instead they went with another senior big man, 6-10 Bosnian center Goran Suton of Michigan State.
"Luke," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said, "was somebody that was under serious consideration."
Nevill enjoyed a solid career at Utah, earning honorable mention All-American honors as a senior. He averaged at least 15 points per game in three of his seasons at Utah, and led the Utes to the MWC championship and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament as a senior.
Nevill showed he can score, rebound and block shots in college, and that he had a nice shooting touch in workouts for NBA teams. Questions about his strength and toughness, however, seemed to prevent him from being drafted on Thursday.
Lee Cummard and Ryan Toolson
As many predicted, former BYU guard Lee Cummard and former Utah Valley guard Ryan Toolson will have to take the long and winding road to a career in professional basketball.
Neither was selected in Thursday's NBA draft. Toolson was an extreme long shot, while some thought Cummard might be picked late in the second round. His agent, Chris Emens of Octagon Sports, really expected a team to recognize Cummard's all-around unselfish game and basketball IQ and take him somewhere between the 40th and final pick.
"I just spent five hours on the edge of my seat, so I'm a bit disappointed," Cummard said late Thursday from his parents' home in Mesa, Ariz. "Any player wants to hear his name called, but I understand it's a business."
Recent comments
Cummard will not survive in Europe...there is no strict BYU code in...
Cummard | July 31, 2009 at 1:53 a.m.
Okay seriously who makes a comment like that.. I feel sorry for...
to 8:45 am comment | July 27, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.
I love you Nevill, but I'm sure your regretting playing like such a...
Utah | July 16, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.
- USA Today poll: U. 14th, Y. 22nd 11:51 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 11:32 a.m.
- Tough road ahead in Senate for bill 11:05 a.m.
- Afghan vows to keep out corruption 10:35 a.m.
- Anti-Taliban mayor killed in Pakistan 10:27 a.m.
- Dalai Lama visits town near Tibet 10:26 a.m.
- Some saw trouble ahead for Hasan 10:21 a.m.
- China pledges funds, aid to Africa 10:20 a.m.
- 40 dead in El Salvador flooding 10:19 a.m.
- Dixie campus briefs 1:10 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
207 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - Lobo suspended
173 - House passes health care bill
148 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
141 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - RSL rallies to advance
102 - Thousands protest health bill
100 - Provo company innovating engines
98 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
87
It's almost tip time at the Spectrum as Utah State prepares to take on...
I agree. Definitely too much greed going on.
Dear Utah, Congrats on your win. Its a real big deal seeing as how New...
Do you not think the BYU Utah game will have anything to do with the title if...
So the state title game is going to be meaningless? A 50 Point thrashing you...
re Patriot What better way is there to honor American Children than to...
I think the Clippers will beat us this year!
Does Utah even have a chance in this game? I just don't see how Utah can beat...
These guys are Pathetic!
Jazz are done!
Jazz are in the LOTTERY!


