Friday, Jun. 26, 2009

Gonzaga's Daye goes in 1st round to Detroit

From Herald news services

Washington forward Jon Brockman was taken in the second round of the NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and immediately shipped in a prearranged deal to the Sacramento Kings.

The trade means Brockman will be reunited with former UW teammate Spencer Hawes of the Kings instead of former UW teammate Brandon Roy of the Blazers.

"It's truly a dream come true, just getting drafted into the NBA," Brockman said. "I don't think I could ask for a better situation playing alongside my AAU teammate, and then college teammate and now NBA teammate. I don't even know if that's ever been done before in the NBA. But it's a dream come true, and I'm just overwhelmed."

Other players with ties to the state of Washington who were drafted Thursday were Terrence Williams of Louisville and Rainier Beach High in Seattle, who went to New Jersey with the 11th pick; and Austin Daye of Gonzaga went to Detroit at No. 15.

Josh Heytvelt of Gonzaga and Justin Dentmon of UW weren't selected.

Daye, an early-entry candidate, is coming off a two-year career with the Zags, where he averaged 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds last season.

The 6-foot-11, 192-pounder insisted he shouldn't be underestimated physically.

"I may be frail, but I'm a tough kid," he said.