Virginia Tech – which has produced many professional athletes playing on Sundays – hasn’t given much talent to the NBA.

The only Tech-related names associated with the NBA that I can recall would be Dell Curry, Bimbo Coles (easy to remember) and Allan Bristow.  Outside of those three, there isn’t much to gobble about when it comes to Hokies in the NBA.

So, it’s certainly big news to hear any Hokies even thinking about the Association.  Imagine my surprise to see Tech guard Malcolm Delaney listed on the group of early entrants into the NBA Draft.

I was especially surprised because there’s no way that he’s going to get drafted.  According the NBADraft.net he’s graded as the 43rd ranked junior – which is definitely not a good spot to reside in if you are serious about being selected in the draft.

Delaney's aggression has led to over 500 free throw attempts during his sophomore and junior seasons.

The 6’3″ junior just finished a season in which he led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring, with 20.2 points per game.  He’s also handed out 4.5 assists per game (good for 6th in the conference).  Delaney is a very talented player, capable of dominating games – and has an uncanny knack for getting to the free throw line, where he has shot 85% over his past two seasons.  Although Delaney isn’t the best field goal shooter, he has proven to be a consistent scorer.  This season he only scored in single digits four times (three of which were victories were he didn’t need assert himself), but has scored 30-plus points on five occasions. 

As is the case with many college guards that are relied upon for scoring, his major weakness is proving that he is capable of playing point guard.  At 6’3″, he would have acceptable size for a point guard, but he would be an extremely small 2-guard (being listed at 170 lbs.).  (Think Juan Dixon)  Delaney has given us flashes of his playmaking ability, but they have only been flashes.  He is most often looking for his own shot – which has been good for the Hokies, but bad for his draft stock.

Malcolm is almost assuredly using the draft for informational purposes only.  He’ll probably get a chance to test himself against some NBA prospects – and then he’ll understand what teams are looking for from him and what he’ll need to improve upon.

With this in mind, Hokie fans had better beware. 

Delaney won’t be playing to ensure that Virginia Tech makes the NCAA tournament.  Instead, he’ll be playing to ensure that he’s getting a paycheck from David Stern’s organization shortly thereafter.

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