NBL rookie sensation Nathan Jawai was selected by Indiana in the NBA draft today, but missed out on a guaranteed playing contract.
The indigenous 208cm, 21-year-old Boomers squad member was taken by the Pacers at No.41, outside the crucial top 30 picks.
Only those inside the top 30 are guaranteed a three-year NBA contract.
But Jawai could be on his way to the Toronto Raptors, according to ESPN draft expert Chad Ford. He revealed soon after Jawai's lower-than-expected selection that the Pacers had selected the 208cm giant ``for the Raptors''.
``The Raptors got big with Jermaine O'Neal and they just got bigger with Jawai _ a huge player from Australia who looks like a bigger version of (NBA star) Elton Brand,'' Ford said on the ESPN website.
``Even though he's wide, he's pretty quick on his feet. He was a player in Australia, but it's a big leap to the NBA.''
Jawai could yet end up back in Cairns, with the either the Raptors or the Pistons possibly believing the talented forward/centre could be better off further developing his game in the NBL for at least another season.
Only players picked in the top 30 are guaranteed a three-year NBA contract. Jawai may have to make his way through training camps to earn a spot on his team's roster.
Jawai suffered a recent thigh injury which prevented him from conducting pre-draft workouts with several NBA clubs, which could have affected his status.
Jawai won the NBL rookie of the year and was named the most valuable player in the league's All Star game.
Jawai suffered a recent thigh injury which prevented him from conducting pre-draft workouts with several NBA clubs, which could have affected his status.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23931267-10389,00.html
