Basket Case

With the NBA draft now bursting with high schoolers and Europeans, it's more of an accomplishment than ever before for a college team to have two of its players selected in the first round. For that school to fall well outside the collection of basketball factories is virtually unheard of. So many congratulations to Saint Josephs' University and its two first-rounders, Jameer Nelson (selected by the Nuggets at No. 20 and traded to the Magic) and Delonte West (Celtics, No. 24). While Nelson's selection was disappointingly low in the first round, West was chosen higher than most anticipated, so perhaps things evened out in some cosmic sense. Congrats, as well, to Hawks head coach Phil Martelli, whose ability unselfishly to adapt his own coaching style to fit the skill sets of his players enabled Nelson and West to shine during Saint Joseph's dazzling 2003-04 season.