Big O2 Not Invited To The Draft

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

That would be just the Celtics luck... Maybe they can stash him
away at the Celtics draft headquarters and have him make the
announcement: "The Celtics draft me!" 

16 invited to Draft
By: Chris Monter
Date: 06/24/2000
Sixteen likely first round picks were invited to the NBA draft Wednesday
in Minneapolis. The NBA typically invites the top prospects to sit in
the "green room" and come on stage after their names is announced.  

It is obviously the highlight of a players' career to hear where he is
going to play in the NBA. However, it can be a nightmare for the last
remaining player in the "green room". Last season, Jumaine Jones was not
picked until the 27th pick. The previous season, Rashard Lewis was in
tears after not being grabbed until the 32nd pick Dwayne Schintzius was
not selected until the 24th pick in 1990. 

There were several surprises as point guards Mateen Cleaves of Michigan
State, Keyon Dooling from Missouri and St. John's Erick Barkley. Olumide
Oyedeji of Nigeria and DeShawn Stevenson of Fresno (CA) Washington Union
were not asked. It is not a surprise to see a high school player not
invited to the proceedings as neither Jonathan Bender (last year's fifth
pick) and Jermaine O'Neal (17th in 1996) were not invited, either.