Former state basketball stars headed to NBA pre-draft camp
Posted by:
gwoelfel on
May 23, 2008 at
9:13PM CST
BY GERY WOELFEL
Two former Wisconsin high school basketball stars are hoping to take a big step next week toward realizing their dreams of playing in the NBA.
Both Brian Butch, a two-time state prep player of the year from Appleton West High School, and Mike Taylor, a former Milwaukee City Conference Player of the Year from Milwaukee Marshall High School, said they have both accepted invitations to compete in the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla.
The camp begins Tuesday night and runs through Saturday. Approximately 64 draft prospects are chosen by NBA officials for the camp, which draws general managers, coaches and player personnel officials from each team.
The 6-foot-11, 235-pound Butch was the University of Wisconsin’s leading scorer (12.4 points) and leading rebounder (6.6) last season.
Butch helped the Badgers compile a 16-2 Big Ten Conference and 31-5 overall record.
In preparation for the pre-draft camp, Butch has been working out the last two weeks in Atlanta.
"I’m in the best shape of my life,’’ Butch said Friday. "I’m looking forward to going to Orlando.’’
Taylor is a lightning quick 6-2 combo guard who played one season at Iowa State where he was the Cyclones’ Most Valuable Player after averaging 16 points and 4.5 assists.
After some off-court issues, Taylor was expelled from Iowa State and played last season in the NBA’s D-League with the Idaho Stampedes.
Taylor helped the Stampedes win the D-League championship by scoring 27 points, making 7-of-10 3-point attempts.
Taylor has been preparing for the pre-draft camp by working out in Sacramento with several other players, including current Golden State forward Matt Barnes and California power forward Ryan Anderson, who could be a late first-round draft selection.
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