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The risk-reward ratio for Renaldo Balkman paid dividends last Wednesday night as the New York Knicks drafted the forward with the 20th pick in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft.
Balkman, who forewent his senior season to enter the draft early, was predicted as a possible late first round pick, but most analysts placed the Tampa native as a second round selection, if he was going to be drafted at all.
The Knicks, who finished the season at 23-59, used their first pick to handle a need for a better defensive presence at the small forward position. The teams new coach Isiah Thomas was excited about the chance to have Balkman join the team.
"He plays great defense," Thomas said. "When we saw him in Orlando, it solidified that he was the player we wanted. He plays with such intensity. We had a couple of chances to move up in the draft but the player we would have moved up for didn't excite us as much as the 'B-man'."
The ESPN hosts of the NBA draft were stunned at the selection of Balkman saying that he was a second round pick at best and couldn't understand why the Knicks would pick him at that time. But Thomas compared Balkman to some high caliber defensive names.
"Renaldo is a very unique player with unique talent," Thomas said. "He reminds me a lot of Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest."
Balkman, who averaged just under 10 points and seven rebounds a game, is the first player from USC to be selected in the draft since 1998 and the first Gamecock to go in the first round since Tom Boswell went to the Boston Celtics in 1975.
"It's a great night for Gamecocks, for Renaldo and for me," USC coach Dave Odom said. "I am happy for all of them. He has come out of nowhere in the last three to four months and he has now been given a tremendous opportunity. Now he has to prove it. He is ready to take that challenge on and certainly if him being drafted No. 20 isn't surprising enough, it won't be if he makes the team either."
Balkman will be making his return to a city where he has seen nothing but success. After helping the Gamecocks get past Maryland two years ago to advance to the NIT finals, the defensive specialist was on the bench for the final shot of the 2005 tournament. But in this years NIT final four, Balkman did it all for the Gamecocks, scoring, rebounding, stealing and blocking shots in route to being named the NIT's MVP. Balkman joined the likes of basketball greats like Reggie Miller and Walt Frazier.
Odom, who has supported Balkman through his decision making process was excited for the now NBA-bound player and even more excited about the chance he has by playing in the Big Apple.
"I will be the fist to say he will go to New York and win their hearts," Odom said. "It's a great place to go with the way he plays and the way he looks and he will win their hearts. I don't doubt that. They will love him."
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