Spring Break
The Daily OrangeIn point guard-heavy class, Flynn's stock rises before Thursday's draft
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 6/24/09, 8:15 PM EST Section: Sports
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Jonny Flynn, who left Syracuse after his sophomore season to go pro, will certainly be one of those guards. That much is known. Where exactly he will be picked, though, is still anybody's guess. Not even Flynn himself offered a prediction when he met with the media Wednesday at the Westin Hotel in Times Square.
Flynn has spent the last month shuttling around the country auditioning for professional coaches, general managers and scouts all trying to separate a slew of point guards battling for recognition. And after workouts for nine teams and countless rounds of 3-on-3 with the same top point guard prospects, Flynn is confident where he stands among this talented group: the top.
"A lot of people like to call us a weak draft class. Not at the point guard position," Flynn said. "...I think I fit right up by the top of the point guards with my athleticism, my knack of getting into the lane and making plays for myself and other teammates. I think that puts me at the top."
He will find out for sure Thursday (7 p.m., ESPN). Flynn will be in the green room backstage at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, anxious to hear commissioner David Stern call out his name to begin his NBA career. The only question now is how long he will have to wait.
Former Syracuse teammates Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf are also eligible but are not expected to be drafted. Flynn has been regularly working out with Harris in Chicago and said he has spoken to Devendorf twice since school ended.
Flynn has been rumored to go anywhere between Nos. 4-14, but will likely be taken somewhere in the top 10. He has worked out for every team picking between No. 4 (Sacramento Kings) and No. 11 (New Jersey Nets), often competing directly with some of the other point guards. The Kings were the only club to invite Flynn back for a second tryout.
Nearly every mock draft predicts Flynn will be among the first three point guards selected. As of Wednesday afternoon, popular draft Web site nbadraft.net has Flynn at No. 10 going to the Milwaukee Bucks, while draftexpress.com has him going to Sacramento.
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