CHICAGO - The Solheim Center is just as unassuming as it is important.
The building, located at the Moody Bible Institute on North LaSalle Street in Chicago, is a seldom-used basketball court save four days in June prior to the NBA draft. The edifice is a dated hoops facility that resembles a high school gym and houses a pool and a few of the school's athletic offices. The court has seen its share of All-Americans, future inductees to the Hall of Fame and scouts. Despite its modest appearance and lack of use, the Solheim Center is host to an NBA pre-draft camp that can be the springboard to a successful professional basketball career or the pharmacist for a bitter reality pill.
This year, two players swallowed the reality pill through injuries. Illinois' Dee Brown fractured his foot and had to withdraw from the camp. He is expected to have to return to Illinois for his senior year due to the inability to compete in the remainder of the camp, which runs from June 7-10. Teammate Roger Powell sprained his right ankle and also had to withdraw from the camp.
The camp is organized and run by the NBA and is attended by representatives from every team and major media outlet. Each day, the activities begin at 9 a.m., with drills lasting two hours. The drills attempt to showcase each player's individual skills with jump shooting, 1-on-1, 2-on-2, simulated scrimmage and fast break demonstrations.
Games between predetermined teams take place in the late morning and again in the late afternoon. The games are meant to simulate professional playing conditions, complete with NBA referees.
Players such as the University of Connecticut's Charlie Villanueva and Syracuse University's Hakim Warrick do not play in the in the draft camp because of the preconceived notion that they will be lottery picks. This year's hot attractions include high school standout Brandon Rush. Rush averaged 21 points per game at Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina.
The 19-year old said his intention is to stay in the draft.
The building, located at the Moody Bible Institute on North LaSalle Street in Chicago, is a seldom-used basketball court save four days in June prior to the NBA draft. The edifice is a dated hoops facility that resembles a high school gym and houses a pool and a few of the school's athletic offices. The court has seen its share of All-Americans, future inductees to the Hall of Fame and scouts. Despite its modest appearance and lack of use, the Solheim Center is host to an NBA pre-draft camp that can be the springboard to a successful professional basketball career or the pharmacist for a bitter reality pill.
This year, two players swallowed the reality pill through injuries. Illinois' Dee Brown fractured his foot and had to withdraw from the camp. He is expected to have to return to Illinois for his senior year due to the inability to compete in the remainder of the camp, which runs from June 7-10. Teammate Roger Powell sprained his right ankle and also had to withdraw from the camp.
The camp is organized and run by the NBA and is attended by representatives from every team and major media outlet. Each day, the activities begin at 9 a.m., with drills lasting two hours. The drills attempt to showcase each player's individual skills with jump shooting, 1-on-1, 2-on-2, simulated scrimmage and fast break demonstrations.
Games between predetermined teams take place in the late morning and again in the late afternoon. The games are meant to simulate professional playing conditions, complete with NBA referees.
Players such as the University of Connecticut's Charlie Villanueva and Syracuse University's Hakim Warrick do not play in the in the draft camp because of the preconceived notion that they will be lottery picks. This year's hot attractions include high school standout Brandon Rush. Rush averaged 21 points per game at Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina.
The 19-year old said his intention is to stay in the draft.
