A bad break in Chicago
Jackie Manuel, the defensive stopper on North Carolina's NCAA title-winning team, has been the forgotten Tar Heel in the lead-up to the NBA Draft because teammates Marvin Williams, Raymond Felton, Sean May and Rashad McCants are the ones projected to go in the first round. Make that co-forgotten man -- fellow senior Jawad Williams is also looking to go quietly in the second round June 28.
The Chicago pre-draft camp going on now is particularly important for guys like Jawad Williams and Manuel, who have much to prove to NBA scouts. That's why it was an especially unfortunate setback for Manuel when he suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot Tuesday, the first day of the camp.
Greensboro-based Keith Gatlin, who's been working Manuel out the past few weeks, said Manuel likely won't be able to play basketball for 2-4 weeks. It's unclear whether he'll be able to do a scheduled workout in Seattle June 21. He is staying in Chicago to do IQ tests and such, even if he can't play, said Gatlin upon his return from Chicago on Friday.
I'm hoping to hear from Manuel before the day's out. If I do, you can probably read something in the News & Record on his draft preparations (and injury) either Saturday or Sunday.
Check here for the Peoria Journal Star's recent "sizzlers" and "fizzlers" wrap-up of the predraft camp that noted Williams had a rough 2-for-9 game Wednesday.
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