After averaging 18.9pts and almost 10rpg during his senior, and only season of D1 basketball, the Charlotte Hornets thought enough of Andy Betts (7'1" 250lb C) yesterday to select him at the #50 position in the 2nd round of the 1998 edition of the NBA draft. Betts, who holds the record of being the tallest player ever to play at the Beach, among others, was one of only 14 centers chosen across the country. Betts becomes the 4th recent Beach alumni to be on an active NBA roster joining Seattle's 2nd pick from the 1997 draft, James Cotton, Utah's 2nd round pick from the 1993 draft Bryon Russell, and Lucious Harris of the New Jersey Nets.
The past 24 months have been a rocket ship ride upward for Betts, who has gone from little noticed D2 C.W. Post as an average player with minimal offensive skills, to 1st team all Big West selection, to being chosen in the NBA draft.
I may be a little biased, but the games that I saw him play against Olowakandi, did not indicate that there was THAT much difference between the two. Besides, if people think that Olowakandi is a raw product, how about Betts??? at least Olowakandi played TWO FULL seasons of D1 basketball, Betts has only played 1/2 of a season AND he is only 20 years old!!! Now you tell me who has more of an upside! (OK, that may be stretching it a little). The fact is that the Hornets will be pleasently surprised with Betts, who has hardly any expectations beyond making the roster, while the Clippers will be disappointed if Olowakandi doesn't come in and average 15ppg and 10rpg.
Great Job Andy!!! now about those naming opportunities at the Pyramid....
