SB Nation Seattle - NBA Draft 2012: Terrence Ross To the Raptors, Tony Wroten to Grizzlies

NBA Draft Grades: Terrence Ross, Tony Wroten Selections Earn Mixed Reviews

2012-06-30T01:18:28Z

The Washington Huskies were represented well in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft with Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten, two players taken with the first 25 picks. Despite the early selections, a few of the scouting gurus around the league were not crazy about the drafts of the team they were taken by.

We'll take a look at what one expert had to say after the jump.

Ross was taken No. 8 overall by the Toronto Raptors, who received a 'C+' grade on draft night from Chad Ford.

The Raptors had a disappointing night. They were hoping that either Waiters or Barnes would be there, but when both were taken, I think the Raptors might have reached a bit.

I like Ross, and on certain teams I would've liked him a lot. But I don't think either he or DeMar DeRozan are small forwards. Ross does bring the shooting DeRozan lacks, but it would've been nice if the Raptors could have found help at either the 1 or 3. Given how badly the Rockets wanted into the Top 10 (they were after Drummond and Rivers), I think I would've swapped this one for a few picks from Houston. They still could've landed Ross and picked up another asset as well.

As for the Wroten pick, he was the only selection of the Grizzlies. They got a 'B' for the pick.

Analysis: I have to confess that I secretly am pulling for Wroten Jr. On potential, he's one of the five or six most talented players in this draft. If he ever gets it, he'll be one of the most exciting players in the league to watch. He is a dynamic passer, can get to the basket at will and has elite size and athletic ability for his position. His recklessness on the court, his horrific shooting and his questionable leadership skills caused his stock to tank, but if he ever settles down and gets even a passable jumper like Rondo has developed, he will be the steal of the draft.

For more on the Raptors check out Raptors HQ. For more on the Grizzlies head over to Straight Outta Vancouver.

2012 NBA Draft: Gonzaga's Robert Sacre Excited For Opportunity With Lakers

2012-06-29T16:16:55Z

Nobody likes to get picked last for anything. Well, unless you are getting picked in an NBA Draft, than being the last selection is just as good as the first. Such is the case for Gonzaga's Robert Sacre, who waited all night with faded breath for his name to be called, and it finally was with the last overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I was thinking best for last. I was selected to go to one of the best teams in NBA history," Sacre said after the announcement via the Los Angeles Lakers Twitter account, @Lakers.

The seven-foot, 260 pounder certainly has the NBA frame, though some concerns with his rebounding abilities remained, possibly a reason he lasted so long in the draft. Still, he averaged 6.3 rebounds and 11.6 points in 26.3 minutes a game, as well as 1.4 blocks per game last year. He also made the first-team All-West Coast Conference in 2011 and was named the league's top defensive player.

"Rob's one of the all-time historical figures in this program. I'll never coach another guy like him, which is a unique personality," Gonzaga head coach Mark Few was quoted as saying in an NBA.com draft profile of Sacre.

Hopefully this Bulldog can find himself a nice, long career in the NBA. The Lakers certainly are a good start.

For more on the Lakers, head over to Silver Screen and Roll. For more on the NBA Draft, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Emotional Reactions To Being Drafted For Terrence Ross And Tony Wroten

2012-06-29T12:00:55Z

Former Washington Huskies Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten were selected in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, with Ross going to the Toronto Raptors at No. 8 overall and Wroten selected 25th by the Memphis Grizzlies. For both players, it was an emotional night. Comments from both via the Seattle Times:

"It's surreal I couldn't believe it," [Ross] said during an interview Thursday night with the NBA. "I looked at my mom and she started crying. I looked at my sister and she was in shock. I looked at my coaches and they were happy for me. It's a real moment for me."

Wroten had a similar reaction:

"I was just speechless. I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but being a Memphis Grizzly was a dream come true, so I just broke down."

Washington coach Lorenzo Romar was at the draft, sitting with Ross and his family. From Romar on, both young men have strong supporters throughout the area who were no doubt thrilled to see them be selected so high in the draft, and who are excited to see their careers in the NBA develop.

For more on Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten, stick with this storystream. For Toronto Raptors news and analysis, check out Raptors HQ. For more on the Memphis Grizzlies, check out Straight Outta Vancouver. And don't miss these NBA Draft prospect videos from SB Nation Studios:

2012 NBA Draft Results: Jared Cunningham Selected By Cavaliers, Dealt To Mavericks

2012-06-29T02:25:04Z

Jared Cunningham was one of the more electric scorers in all of college basketball last season, which was why he decided to enter the NBA Draft after his junior season at Oregon State. Cunningham's stock had risen in recent weeks and was taken with the 24th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A trade was then made by Cleveland and the Dallas Mavericks, sending Cunningham south to play with Dirk Nowitzki and crew. He appears likely to replace Jason Terry should he elect to leave via free agency.

Cunningham averaged 17.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game last season, making him an All-Conference selection in the Pac-12. He shot 45% from the field and 33.8% from the field. The 6'4 guard averaged nearly 15 points as a sophomore the previous season.

For more on Cunningham and the Mavericks be sure to check out Mavs Moneyball.

2012 NBA Draft Results: Tony Wroten Selected By Memphis Grizzlies With 25th Pick

2012-06-29T01:59:25Z

Some folks within the industry once believed Washington Huskies guard Tony Wroten was destined for the lottery at the 2012 NBA Draft, but a lack of position and questions about his ability to be a good teammate dropped his stock. Wroten ended up being taken by Memphis Grizzlies with the 25th in the first round round.

Wroten, a 6'6 freshman guard, played both point guard and shooting guard last season. He scored 16.7 points-per-game, brought down five rebounds and dished out 3.6 assists on average for a Washington team that made a deep run in the NIT. He was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year over some serious competition.

The biggest concern over Wroten's game is his ability to shoot the ball. He made 44.3% of his field goal attempts, although a lot of that came from layups and close-range floaters. Wroten shot 16% from behind the 3-point arc, and many have concerns over his shooing mechanics.

There's no denying that Wroten has some talent, but he'll need to improve his offensive arsenal if he hopes to become anything more than a role player in the NBA.

For more on Wroten and the Grizzlies be sure to check out Straight Outta Vacouver. For more on the Washington Huskies head over to UW Dawg Pound.

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2012 NBA Draft: Terrence Ross Heads To Raptors, Head Coach Discusses Pick [VIDEO]

2012-06-29T01:36:49Z

The Toronto Raptors, who are currently led by former SuperSonics assistant coach Dwane Casey, caused some waves when they selected Washington Huskies guard Terrence Ross with the 8th overall pick at the 2012 NBA Draft. While there is no denying that Ross is a very capable scorer on the wings, most folks felt he was destined for the middle of the first round instead of the lottery.

The Raptors appear very happy with their selection of Ross, and their head coach discussed the pick just moments after making it official. We have the video for you after the jump.

Look for Ross to battle for plenty of minutes in training camp, whether it be in the starting lineup or as a sixth or seventh man off the bench. He'll need to bulk up and improve on the defensive end of the court if he hopes to reach his full potential.

For more on Ross and the Raptors be sure to check out Raptors HQ. For more on the Washington Huskies head over to UW Dawg Pound.

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2012 NBA Draft Results: Terrence Ross Selected By Toronto Raptors With 8th Pick

2012-06-29T00:19:44Z

Terrence Ross had been projected as a first round pick for weeks, and those beliefs were confirmed on Thursday night at the 2012 NBA Draft. With the 8th overall pick, the Toronto Raptors selected Ross.

Ross, a sophomore out of Washington, averaged 15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists on a UW club that made a deep run in the NIT. He averaged nearly 25 points in postseason play. Known as a lights-out shooter, Ross hit 45.7% of his 3-pointers after making 44.5% of them as a freshman.

At 6'6 and just under 200 pounds, Ross projects to play both the off-guard and small forward spots in the NBA. He'll need to bulk up some to become a reliable defender and withstand the riggers of an 82-game season, but he should be able to achieve this with a strong weight program.

For more on Ross and the Raptors be sure to check out Raptors HQ. For more on the Washington Huskies head over to UW Dawg Pound.

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NBA Draft 2012: Terrence Ross And Tony Wroten's Big Day

2012-06-28T14:01:07Z

By the end of Thursday night, Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten will become the seventh and eighth players drafted from the University of Washington under the tenure of Head Coach Lorenzo Romar. Husky fans will be celebrating to see two of their own make it to the league, but more than a few fans will likely still hold some resentment in the back of their heads for these two bolting to the NBA a little earlier than they perhaps should have. I know I held some of this resentment, at least until it all eventually eroded this past week.

I spent Wednesday night watching the NBA combine online, an event that occurred in early June. While Ross and Wroten's stocks have shifted since then, the premise is the same, Wroten's upside is higher than Ross' but picking Wroten is a higher risk than picking Ross. Wroten is projected as a late first round and early second round pick, while Ross will not fall out of the top 15.

However, the main feeling I got out of watching the NBA combine did not deal with the draft stocks of Wroten and Ross but the feeling of a lack of animosity towards both of them for leaving Washington early. As an avid Washington Huskies basketball fan, it was easy for me to get upset at both of their decisions initially.

What does this say about both of their characters when the pair is leaving an incomplete legacy and leaving on a bad note? Contrast both Ross and Wroten's careers at UW to the careers of Brandon Roy, Jon Brockman and Quincy Pondexter — all four year players. The conclusion is simple, it is way easier to like Roy, Brockman and Pondexter. Those three guys cemented their legacies in Washington basketball folklore. Wroten and Ross? Not so much.

Three months since the end of the college basketball season, my judgement of their judgement is gone. It would have been nice for Isaiah Thomas to return for his fourth year this past season. It would have been even nicer for Nate Robinson to stay for his senior year in 2005, but both players had the NBA on their minds and a host of other reasons on why to declare early. And so do Ross and Wroten.

Ross' freakish jumping ability and silky jump shot along with his size have teams drooling over his potential as a potent scorer in the league. And as as polarizing of a player Wroten is, he can flat out ball. I'll admit I've had problems with the way he's carried himself out on and off the court at times in high school — his arrogance, mainly — but even if my baseless assumptions off of a few yelled expletives and an out of control twitter account were true, in the end, it doesn't matter.

No other point guard from this class can make the same out-of-nowhere passes Wroten can. No other point guard in this draft class can get to the basket at will like Wroten either. I'll acknowledge the truths of his broken jumpshot and a few other weaknesses, but label me as a person who wants to see Wroten succeed. He's a Seattle product, he stayed loyal to his roots and decided to play for Washington and he was spectacular last season.

Sure Wroten and Ross could have left UW on a better note, but once you remove the purple and gold from the equation, you realize that these guys are just like every other aspiring basketball player: they have a dream to play in the NBA.

The pair is leaving behind a chance at Washington to set records, appear in NCAA tournaments and become legends. In the end, their future success at Washington is not guaranteed, but their spot on an NBA roster, barring anything out of the ordinary, is all but guaranteed this fall. Their personal dreams of being in the NBA will be fulfilled, even though my personal dreams of Washington winning a national championship are temporarily being set aside. Who am I to scold them for chasing their dreams?

Major props to Lorenzo Romar for embracing all of his players and supporting them fully in their decisions to turn professional. I don't know if he has any other choice, but I am sure he's thought over and over in his head how much he would love for Ross and Wroten to return as well, or how much he would have killed to have Thomas and Robinson for another year, or even Hawes for another year too.

Wherever these guys end up, I'll be rooting for them just like Coach Romar. They played their hearts out while they were at UW and it would not be fair for them not to receive the same support from Husky fans as they continue their basketball careers.

Happy NBA draft day Terrence and Tony. Good luck — just don't end up on the Thunder.