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Albany reaches for size in draft Pats nab Buckman first; McNamara in sixth round

By TIM WILKIN, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Wednesday, September 27, 2006

ALBANY -- The Albany Patroons' most interesting pick in the Continental Basketball Association draft Tuesday night was their final one. In the sixth round, with the 60th and second-to-last-selection, the Patroons chose former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara. Don't get too excited: The chances of him playing at Washington Avenue Armory this winter are slim. McNamara signed a one-year deal to play pro ball in Greece. "Will he ever play here? I don't know," Patroons coach Micheal Ray Richardson said. "But we have his (CBA) rights for two years, and you never know what might happen to players when they go overseas." The Patroons made Brad Buckman, a 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward from the University of Texas, their first pick in the league's 21st annual college draft. Ten teams participated, including the expansion Pittsburgh Xplosion and Vancouver Dragons, which joined the league Tuesday. Buckman averaged 9.5 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Longhorns his senior season. Last year only one of the Patroons' draft picks, guard T.J. Thompson, played for the team. "Buckman is a big body, and he comes from a good basketball school," Richardson said. "He can shoot the 3-pointer, and he is available. I spoke to his agent, and he said he is available." Albany also drafted Wesley Wilkinson, a 6-10, 220-pound forward from Nebraska; Taj Gray, a 6-9, 238-pound forward from Oklahoma; 6-8, 235-pound forward Chris Copeland from Colorado; 6-3, 208-pound guard Jimmy McKinney from Misssouri; and then McNamara. Wilkinson averaged 11.9 points and 6.2 rebounds for Nebraska and Gray 14.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks (all team highs) for Oklahoma. Copeland averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds and McKinney 12.6 points in college. "We might get one of these guys in camp," Richardson said. "I just hope we get the right one." Former Syracuse player Dayshawn Wright was the No. 1 pick by the Minot (N.D.) Skyrockets. He played only five minutes in 10 games in the Orange's 2004-05 season and was academically ineligible last season. Wilkin can be reached at 454-5415 or by e-mail at twilkin@timesunion.com. Patroons' picksThe Albany Patroons' selections in the 2006 CBA draft: First round: F Brad Buckman (6-foot-8, 235 pounds), TexasSecond round: F Wesley Wilkerson (6-10, 270), NebraskaThird round: F Taj Gray (6-9, 238) OklahomaFourth round: F Chris Copeland (6-8, 235), ColoradoFifth round: G Jimmy McKinney (6-3, 212), MissouriSixth round: G Gerry McNamara (6-2, 180), Syracuse In the Times-Union story, it mentions that McNamara has signed a one-year contract. Actually, it's a two-year deal with both player and club options for the second. If Gerry plays really well in Greece, he hopes to be in the NBA next year. If he plays OK but the NBA still isn't an option, he'll be back in Greece. He's making roughly $250K this year in Greece. Not exactly NBA minimum, but hey, I hear Greece is pretty nice this time of year. In related news... From Europe to the CBA I spoke with the agent for ex-Syracuse player Billy Edelin today. It seems Edelin has been cut by Verviers-Pepinster, the Belgium league team that had signed him back in August. Edelin hadn't played organized ball since leaving the team at Syracuse University mid-way through the 2004-05 season. His lack of conditioning played a role in his quick departure from Europe. He joined Verviers-Pepinster as the team was ready to start the season and he was behind. I'm told that Verviers-Pepinster also was interested in a point guard with a different style. Alex Yam, Edelin’s agent, said he expects Edelin to sign a contract with Great Falls (Mont.) of the Continental Basketball Association by early next week. Mike Waters mwaters@syracuse.com and... Not over the Hill A few days ago former Syracuse University standout Otis Hill was headed to Israel. Now, Hill, who also played in Israel last year, is ticketed for the renowned Croatian league team Split. Otis Hill in Split! - Sep. 19, 2006 - by Dani Erceg Otis Hill (203-C-74, college: Syracuse) signed for Split. Hill played last season for Hapoel Ironi Naharya where he averaged 17ppg, 5.8rpg and 1.6spg in Israeli Premier League. How crazy is it that SU basketball practice starts October 13, and the regular season begins November 10? Before you know it, we'll be gathering in Schenectady for our 4th annual March Madness Extravaganza and Drunken Jamboree! On the off chance that anyone would like to attend an Albany Patroons game, they are cheap, they are in a cool venue very close to Bomber's Burrito Bar, and we could probably get this wacky hoops fan to attend.