The 2003 NBA Draft
In a single season of the National Basketball Association one critical player could change moral, motivation and even the outcome of an entire season for a team. Luckily, in 2003 we will be able to witness such events due to the significant outcome of the 2003 NBA draft. We will witness the upbringing of three amazingly young heroes’ into the NBA. These heroes’ consists of James, Milicic, and Anthony. With eyes fixed upon them we will see their abilities to perform as professional athletes in the field of offense, defense, and strategic skills as their professional careers unfold.
A young man with no limits and outstanding possibilities in the sport of basketball, LeBorn James was the first selection in the 2003 NBA. draft. James possesses the talent, self-interest and personal motivation to be one of the future grates. In high school, at the height of 6’-8’’ and 240 lbs, he received the Gatorade Award, presented annually to the nation's top high school player, and was a member of the McDonald's All-American team. While leading his team to the No. 1 national ranking, James Averaged 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.9 steals for the fourth straight state tournament and the third state title. James became the first three-time Ohio Mr. Basketball winner, leading Saint Mary/Saint Vincent High School to the 2003 Division II state title. Only after guiding the Irish men to a Division III title as a freshman and sophomore although this winning streak would not be a flawless one losing in the Division II final as junior. James showed tremendous courage and leadership through his high school career. However, with the good comes the bad, recently controversy surrounded him in this past season. He was declared ineligible by the Ohio High School Athletic Association in January after admitting he accepted $845 in "throwback'' jerseys. James, however, was cleared of allegations though he violated amateur bylaws again by accepting a Hummer H2 vehicle as a gift. Later he won a court order, in February, allowing him to complete his senior year. Being proven innocent this may hold no bearing on his future career but who is to say something like this won’t happen again?
Now let’s take a ride over seas into the former Yugoslavia, today known as Serbia where the second pick in the 2003 N.B.A. draft by the name of Darko Milicic was found. At the age of only seventeen this is Darko’s second year as a basketball pro in the former Yugoslavia. At the height of 7’ feet and weighing 245 lbs. Darko plays a power forward not to be reckoned with. Milicic is currently averaging 13 points, 8 rebounds and shooting 59 percent from the field. Milicic is considered one of the most versatile young players in basketball for his ability to shoot from the outside and still dominate in the paint. He can dunk in traffic, shoot NBA threes and is a formidable shot blocking [next page]