Jodie Meeks Congratulations

I would like to congratulate Jodie Meeks on being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. Jodie now has a chance to live out his NBA dream, by being chosen with the 41^st pick in the second round of the NBA draft. We UK fans want to thank Jodie for being one of the bright spots on an NIT team that struggled mightily late in the season.

One thing that may help Jodie in making the team is the fact that the Bucks were very high on him from the get go, something that they had been keeping somewhat “close to the vest”, as most teams do. Consider this statement out of the Milwaukee camp after Jodie was chosen:

“He was a guy we had on our board for the last few days, and up until even last night, and we said, ‘No way this kid makes it to the second round,’” Bucks general manager John Hammond told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I’m sure a lot of people are saying that about their second-round picks.”

“We just felt he’s one of the top-notch shooters in this draft. Our guys who were out scouting all year said he may be one of the better defenders, too. He has great strength and is a great athlete, but one thing he can do is shoot the ball the way he can.”

Meeks led the Southeastern Conference and ranked eighth in the country in scoring, averaging 23.7 points per game. Jodie set the school record for points in a game (54 at Tennessee) and three-pointers in a season (117) and shot an SEC-best 90.2 percent from the free throw line. He also had the highest 3 game point total of any player in collegiate basketball with 3 games of 54, 46, and 45 points.

“He arguably was the best shooter in college basketball last year,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles told the Milwaukee newspaper. “He’s a guy who has some toughness, a nice strong body and a really good defender.”

“I don’t think I get enough credit for my athletic ability”, Jodie said.

I believe that with his skill set, Jodie will make the Bucks roster and have a long NBA career. I also believe that he would have benefited by coming back and playing one more year under Cal, and changing his NBA perception from a “catch and shoot guy” to one who can also get to the rim.

Let’s face it, if Terrance Williams can go with the 11^th pick while averaging 12ppg, then anything in that range would have been possible for Jodie next year, if UK had made the deep run in the tournament that most everyone was predicting with Jodie on the squad.

I also must respect the fact that Jodie had been injured, and perhaps had that in the back of his mind, when he decided to stay in the draft. One more injury next year could have ruined his chances for an NBA career, so he choose to strike while the “iron was hot”.

Again, I wish Jodie nothing but the best for his future NBA career.