California Draftin'

There were a few players from the L.A. Area who had their names called in the NBA Draft on Wednesday. The most notable being UCLA star Jordan Farmar, who was drafted by the hometown Lakers with the #26 pick. Farmar spent his prep days at Taft High (Woodland Hills), where he won City Player Of The Year and helped his team win the City Section Title in 2004.

Farmar's a good player and the Lakers are in need of a true point guard. They'll make a good fit provided Phil Jackson gives him some playing time. I'm sure it'll happen, but how many minutes he'll get on the court will remain to be seen until the season starts. Everyone knows how Coach Jackson gives rookies any play time. Maybe with Farmar, that'll change.

Another player with So-Cal roots that was drafted in the first round was Marcus Williams,who was picked #22 overall by the New Jersey Nets.

He played basketball at Crenshaw High (L.A.)for his 9th through 11th grade years but transfered to Oak Hill Acadamy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, a private school known for sending several players to Division 1 schools every year. They are consistently ranked among the top high school basketball teams in the country.

He played college ball at the University of Conneticuit and was on the 2004 NCAA championship team, though he got little to no playing time during that season. This past season he was the starting point guard at Conneticuit.

I got to see Williams play during his days at Crenshaw when he played against my alma-mater Dorsey High. I went to a few of the basketball games, and he was always their standout player.

Other players with So-Cal roots who had their names called were Ryan Hollins, Hassan Adams and Bobby Jones.If you've followed So-Cal prep and college basketball within the last five years then these names are familiar to you. All were drafted in the second round.

Former UCLA center Hollins picked up by the Charlotte Bobcats at #50.

Adams, a former prep standout at basketball-powerhouse Westchester High (L.A.)was drafted in the second round by the Nets 54th overall. He played college ball at the University of Arizona for all four years.

Jones played college ball at the University of Washington and high school ball at Dominguez High (Compton) for his 9th-11th grade years and Long Beach Poly High his Senior year. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves at #37, but was traded to the Philedelpia 76ers shortly after.

Someone who I was expecting to see get his name called was Aaron Aflalo, current UCLA standout and former Centennial High prep star. He origianally sent his name in the draft although he never hired an agent. He decided to stay in college for an extra year. Good for him and for UCLA also!