BRANDAN WRIGHT one of the fastest rising stars in the basketball scene.
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From BA to the big time, Wright continues climb
The bench is unfamiliar territory for Brandan Wright. From middle school to the University of North Carolina, the Brentwood Academy alum was always a pretty big deal on the basketball court. Towering over most of his competition during those years, Brandan Wright developed skills that have led him to Oakland, Calif., and a spot on the roster of the NBA's Golden State Warriors. At 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, the 20-year-old is slightly undersized to be a post player in the NBA and, with the Warriors coming off a phenomenal playoff run last season, Wright didn't see much time at the start of the season. However, that changed in late February as Wright found himself with not only more playing time but also in the starting lineup. Wright started six games from Feb. 19 through March 7. In two of those starts, against Philadelphia and Portland, respectively, he had career highs in scoring with 12 and 13 points. "I'm getting really good experience," Wright said. "This is an opportunity, and I want to take advantage of it." Before the stretch, Wright had played in only 17 of the Warriors' games this season, averaging six minutes a contest. The starts came at a big point of the season for the Warriors, which remain in the fight for a playoff spot. Golden State made the playoffs as a No. 8 seed last season and shocked the then-defending Western Conference champions and No. 1-seeded Dallas Mavericks, defeating them 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. Warriors coach Don Nelson's decision to use Wright more has helped give the former Tar Heel a little bit more confidence. "It was big for me," Wright said. "I'm still young, and any time that I can get on the floor helps me get better. "It was a great feeling (being in the starting lineup), but I didn't want to be overexcited — I still had a job to do." Wright was the ninth pick in the 2007 NBA draft, selected by the Charlotte Bobcats, but he was traded on draft night to Golden State for Jason Richardson and the No. 36 pick. The move was a good one for Wright, who has been able to learn valuable lessons while adjusting to the NBA. "This is a great city, a great fit for me," Wright said. Aside from his newfound playing time, Wright also has another reason to be happy. North Carolina is the No. 1 team in college basketball and has a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels even own a recent victory over rival Duke at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. "That was a big win," Wright said. "It was Duke's senior night that made it even better
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