Unfortunately, Erie did not select any of the 15 players I had listed as guys I'd like to see in a BayHawks uniform this year. But this is why I write the blog and John Treloar and Ben McDonald—the guys who will actually be coaching these players drafted tonight—make the picks. My list was made up primarily of high-profile names from big-time college programs. The coaches picked based on players that could fit into the BayHawks system and develop in their program.
It was a solid draft that sured up some week areas for the team and it should lead to a very competitive training camp, especially at the center and point guard position where Erie looks to replace Erik Daniels and Maureece Rice, arguably its two best weapons last year.
Expect a more substantial draft review tomorrow after we've all had time to digest eight rounds of D-League names (and the draft party food). For now, I'll just offer a quick list of those we picked and the whereabouts of those we passed on from my wish list (that would be all fifteen of them).
1st round: Donell Taylor, F, 6'6", 185 lbs, Alabama-Birmingham
*1st round (via Fort Wayne): Alade Aminu, PF, 6'10", 235 lbs, Georgia Tech
2nd round: John Bryant, C, 6'11", 300 lbs, Santa Clara
3rd round: Martin Zeno, SG, 6'5", 205 lbs, Texas Tech
4th round: Derrick Mercer, PG, 5'9", 170 lbs, American
5th round: Rod Wilmont, SG, 6'4", 215 lbs, Indiana
6th round: Jeff Skemp, C, 6'10", 270 lbs, Wisconsin-Platteville
7th round: Ryan Troutman, G, 6'2", 165 lbs, Tusculum
8th round: Zach Sowers, SG, 6'3", 205 lbs, William Jessup
* Erie traded the rights to Rob Kurz to Fort Wayne for the #10 overall pick
By drafting Bryant and Skemp and trading for Aminu, coach John Treloar will have a very healthy competition for the frontline roster spots as those three battle along with returning BayHawk Jarvis Gunter and Gannon University alum Kyle Goldcamp.
I'd expect Taylor, as the number two overall pick, to make the team and be a significant contributor for the BayHawks. His NBA and overseas experience should be a major plus.
I grant thee zero wishes
While the BayHawks didn't agree with me, I certainly wasn't the only one high on these players. Eleven of the 15 went in the first two rounds and all of them were selected by round six.
My congratulations to Tulsa and Idaho for agreeing with me enough to choose three players from my wish list apiece. I'll definitely be circling Erie's matchups with the 66ers and Stampede on the schedule (unfortunately watching via FutureCast since they're all on the road this year.) Here's a recap of my full wish list as well as when and where the players were drafted:
1st round, 3rd selection: Deron Washington (Los Angeles D-Fenders)
1st round, 8th selection: Paul Harris (Maine Red Claws)
1st round, 9th selection: Rashad Anderson (Iowa Energy)
1st round, 12th selection: Antonio Anderson (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
1st round, 14th selection: JamesOn Curry (Springfield Armor)
1st round, 15th selection: Sundiata Gaines (Idaho Stampede)
1st round, 16th selection: Latavious Williams (Tulsa 66ers)
2nd round, 1st selection: Mustafa Shakur (Tulsa 66ers)
2nd round, 11th selection: Russell Carter (Austin Toros)
2nd round, 13th selection: Reece Gaines (Bakersfield Jam)
4th round, 1st selection: Jeral Davis (Tulsa 66ers)
4th round, 12th selection: Jason Richards (Utah Flash)
5th round, 1st selection: Shagari Alleyne (Albuquerque Thunderbirds)
5th round, 15th selection: JC Mathis (Idaho Stampede)
6th round, 2nd selection: Mike Gansey (Idaho Stampede)
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