<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Last June, the Orlando Magic drafted a player who still was getting an allowance and wearing braces on his teeth. Could they pick another high schooler in the first round of Tuesday night's NBA draft who recently went to the prom with his best friend? Martell Webster, a 6 foot-7 shooting guard from Seattle Preparatory School, might be available when the Magic select at No. 11. They could use a deadeyed shooter such as Webster. "Yeah, I think there's a chance," said Dave Twardzik, the Magic's director of player personnel. Then again, in a draft that's looking as unpredictable as Ron Artest's day planner, Webster might be long gone. Like most teams, the Magic would rather not be forced to delve into the unpredictable world of prep stars attempting to make the leap to the NBA. Well, this is the last draft in which they will have to seriously weigh potential over proven commodities. Beginning next year, the pipeline-to the pros will close, thanks to the league moving the draft's entry age from 18 to 19. The agreement in the new labor deal means a prospect must be a year removed from high school before he becomes draft eligible. It means Dwight Howard will be the last high school star to be the league's No. 1 overall pick. (Unless, of course, somebody pulls a Maurice Clarett and tries challenging the NBA in court. Remember the name Greg Oden.) For the first time in franchise history last June, the Magic drafted a player out of high school, using their No. 1 lottery pick to select the 6 foot-11 Howard out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Orlando chose Howard over college star Emeka Okafor, a decision that produced sweaty palms and garnered criticism from Dick Vitale, among others. But it looks as if the Magic's choice of Howard will work out for, oh, the next 15 years. There apparently is no such dominant player in this last go 'round for prep stars. Last year, nine high schoolers declared, and eight were selected among the first 19 picks. This year, 11 made themselves available, but most mock drafts have only a handful being drafted in the first round. Gerald Green, a 6-8 shooting guard from Houston, is expected to be the first high schooler selected, followed by either Webster or 7-foot New Jersey center Andrew Bynum.</div> Source
I am really hoping that Webster is there when the Magic pick someone. I got a good feeling about him he is a shooting guard that is tall and athletic. He would provide us with someone who could rise up, and drain a jumper in someones eye. He will provide the Magic with also someone who can rebound along side Francis in the back court. Francis averages five or six rebounds a game add someone who can rebound along side him, and we have a pretty good rebounding team. This would allow the team to get out on the break, and there athletism could provide the arena with some excitement. Sort of like a Suns offense was last season. Steve Francis- Jameer Nelson Martell Webster- Doug Christie- Stevenson Grant Hill- Hedo- Stevenson draft pick? - Howard- Howard- Cato- Battie This would be a team with a lot of different players who could make up a offense and possibly defense that will make a lot of teams really struggle to hang in games. I think we would have a nice athletic young team, and Martell and Dwight could really relate, and develope together since they both came out of high school.
