God speed to this young man
In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, Davidson's Stephen Curry is drawing mega attention. Media outlets are salivating over the story of a Division I small school player getting selected in the first round.
Augusta State coach Dip Metress thinks Curry has nothing on his former All-American center. When the draft starts tonight (7, ESPN), Garret Siler will wait to hear if his name is called in one of the two rounds.
"This'll be a better story," Metress said, "than Stephen Curry getting drafted."
The 7-foot, 278-pound Siler is the lone NCAA Division II player drawing NBA interest. If he gets selected, he'll become the first Peach Belt Conference player picked by the NBA and third Augusta State player (Joe McBride, Chip Johnson).
"I'm going to keep faith," Siler said.
After Augusta State lost in the Division II Final Four in late March, Siler continued working out with the Jaguar coaching staff. He also continued working on his weight, watching his diet and exercising.
Soon after graduating from Augusta State on May 9, Siler traveled to Phoenix to continue his workouts. During his five-week stay, he continued working on his game, exercising and watching his diet -- he ate items like turkey burgers with mangos.
"I'm surprised at how much I like mangos," he said.
Siler also worked out for a number of teams, including the likes of Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indiana and Miami.
"I think my chances have improved since my workouts," he said about the NBA Draft.
Siler entered high school with the NBA far from becoming a reality. He started at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. During his junior year, he transferred to Richmond Academy. His senior season, he saw few minutes as an overweight backup.
He enrolled at Augusta State weighing 358 pounds.
Siler spent his first season as a redshirt, working to lose about 60 pounds.
With help from Metress, Siler quickly progressed as a threat inside the paint. During his junior season, Siler helped lead Augusta State to its first-ever appearance in the Division II national championship game.
During his senior season, he shot 79 percent from the floor, averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game.
He also helped lead Augusta State (30-5) to its most wins in school history and finished seventh in school history in scoring (1,599 points).
Metress said if an NBA team takes Siler, it will be getting a quality player in return.
"They're going to get a kid who's going to get better as he gets older," Metress said. "He's a long-term guy. He's not going to be a quick fix."
Siler returned Monday to Miami for an additional workout. That is deemed a good sign. The Heat have the final pick of the draft at No. 60.
Whatever happens tonight, Sheila Siler said her son is prepared.
"It's not going to be his make or break," she said. "If he doesn't make it, he's got other options."
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
GARRET SILER
Garret Siler will try to make the long leap from Division II to the NBA today. The former Augusta State All-American center will be watching the NBA Draft at 7 p.m. (ESPN).
BACKGROUND: A former John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and Richmond Academy High School student, Mr. Siler moved on to Augusta State where he lost weight and became a key cog in the middle. Mr. Siler, now 7-foot, 278 pounds, set the NCAA career record for field-goal percentage. This past season, he shot 79 percent from the floor, averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game.
IF HE GETS PICKED: Mr. Siler, 22, is bidding to become the first local player to get selected in the NBA Draft since William Avery (Westside) and Vonteego Cummings (Thomson) in 1999. Mr. Avery, the No. 14 pick by Minnesota, played three seasons for the Timberwolves. Mr. Cummings went No. 26 to Indiana, which traded him to Golden State. He played three seasons in the NBA (two with the Warriors, one with Philadelphia).
MAKING HISTORY: If Mr. Siler gets picked he'll become the first Peach Belt Conference player, as well as the third Augusta State player (Joe McBride, Chip Johnson), selected in the NBA Draft.
WHERE WILL HE GO?: If he gets picked, Mr. Siler likely will go in the second round. Atlanta, which has the No. 49 selection, is a possibility. Other teams of interest include: San Antonio (Nos. 51 and 53 picks), Boston (No. 58) and Miami (No. 60).
MR. IRRELEVANT?: Don't be surprised if he goes to Miami with the last pick. The Heat are showing high interest in Mr. Siler. The team flew him back to south Florida for a workout earlier this week.
QUOTABLE: "He wants to make Augusta proud," said Sheila Siler, Garret's mother. "He feels like Augusta is a big family for him."
HEIGHT: 7-0 WEIGHT: 278 AGE: 22 POSITION: Center
COLLEGE: Augusta State
2008-09 STATS: Shot 79 percent from the floor, averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game.
NOTABLE: Holds NCAA career record for field-goal percentage.
Comments
God speed to this young man
go garret! good luck!
A fine young man
He is going to get drafted. With the word out that Miami will use the last pick on him, another team may jump in ahead of them. The way he is just learning to play basketball and to get his body in shape, he could become a good NBA player.
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