Washington
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
Peter John Ramos is not the only Olympian whose second-round draft rights are owned by the Washington Wizards. Two years ago, the Wizards selected Juan Carlos Navarro of Spain with their 40th pick. Today, he is on an undefeated Spanish team that will take on the United States for medal contention.
It's probably just a coincidence that both second-round Washington draft picks are international players that go by three names. It's probably just a coincidence that neither has yet played an NBA game.
What's no coincidence is that the Wizards seem to have good skill at drafting in the second round. If Navarro is ready to come to the NBA, he would be a good backup at the point for the Wiz. Worst case, they could trade the rights to him to any of the dozens of other teams who now find themselves salivating over international point guards.
It's a good asset to have.
TEAM NOTES
You can shop at the Wizards team storewhere you can personalized jerseys with your name and number.
Frank Isola ofThe New York Daily News writes: Marbury has been outplayed by one NBA backup, Puerto Rico's Carlos Arroyo, a former NBA backup, Australia's Shane Heal and a player who would be a backup if he made the league, Lithuania's Sarunas Jasikevicius. Today, Marbury will get Spain's Juan Carlos Navarro, a 2002 second-round draft pick of the Washington Wizards who is averaging 9.2 points.