BRANDAN WRIGHT one of the fastest rising stars in the basketball scene.
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Davidson trying to make Bobcat's roster
Former Alabama center Jermareo Davidson's dream came true this summer when he was selected in the 2007 NBA Draft. He was drafted in the second round, with the 36th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, and thought he was headed to sunny California. Within minutes a trade was made that sent him from the Golden State Warriors to the Charlotte Bobcats along with NBA star Jason Richardson in exchange for the No. 8 overall draft pick Brandan Wright, a center from the University of North Carolina. Joining the Bobcats' organization brings him together with a former member of the Alabama basketball program, forward Gerald Wallace, who was drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. Wallace was acquired by the Bobcats in the Charlotte Expansion selection in June 2004 and has performed exceptionally ever since, becoming one of the best athletes in the NBA and signing a new contract with the Bobcats this summer. Davidson hopes to follow in Wallace's footsteps and make the transition from being a college star to having a successful NBA career. The 6-foot-10-inch, 230-pound Davidson had an excellent career at Alabama averaging 10.2 points per game and 7.2 rebounds for his college career. He left Alabama ranked 10th all-time in rebounds with 918, 23rd all-time in scoring with 1,268, fourth all-time in blocks with 221 and started 121 of the 126 games in which he played. His senior year he averaged 14 points per game and brought down 8.2 rebounds per game as he was named to the Second Team Coaches All-SEC team. "I think he's very skilled. I think he's got a chance to be a good player in the NBA," said Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried. "He's long and athletic and skilled, and there's not very many players in America like him." Getting drafted into the NBA attracts a lot of distractions that can keep a player from achieving their goals. With the NBA season just around the corner, there is a lot of work to be done for Davidson to put himself in a situation to get a roster spot. This summer Davidson participated in the 2007 Orlando Summer League with some of his younger Bobcats teammates. The program is an NBA summer basketball league for young players to tone their skills and show their team's general manager that they have what it takes to play in the NBA. Six teams from the Eastern Conference competed, and the Charlotte Bobcats ended with a 2-3 record under head coach Sam Vincent. Playing alongside teammate Adam Morrison, Davidson started all five games, averaging 10.6 points and 3.6 rebounds a game. Davidson's play earned him a spot as center on the Second Team 2007 Pepsi Pro All-Summer League Team and showed his peers that he came prepared. "I think I did pretty good down there," Davidson said. "I went out there and established myself and got some respect so far. A lot of guys don't know exactly what I can do or all I can do, so they don't expect too much." The NBA is different from college play, and Davidson said he has had to adjust his game to fit into the professional style of play. "The guys are a lot bigger, the tempo is much faster, you get down the court and you don't have as much time as you did in college," Davidson said. "You swing the ball once and it's time to go for a shot." Davidson signed a contract with the Bobcats in late July and said he hopes that is a sign of more good news ahead. "Well, I think he'll make their roster No. 1," Gottfried said. "Now, if he were to not, I think he's the kind of player that will have some chances on other teams. But what he's got to do right know is just focus in on doing whatever he can to make the Charlotte Bobcats." Davidson said he is thrilled to be relatively close to his hometown in Atlanta and said he thinks everything will work out for the best. "I mean, I have to play it as it goes. If I get in and do my thing as far as gaining weight, just working out pretty hard, I think everything will fall in place," Davidson said. "From what I've seen from the team so far everybody's pretty cool. I know I've got to serve my time as a rookie. So, we'll just see how I do."
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