NEW YORK — Michael Carter-Williams was 6 years old when his dream of playing in the NBA began. Now just one more night separates him from his childhood dream.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep,” he said.

Carter-Williams and 12 other potential lottery picks fielded questions at the Westin Hotel in New York about the tiring tour of pre-draft workouts, their careers before the NBA and what they hope Thursday night’s NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn would entail.

For Carter-Williams, it meant reflecting on the relationships that brought him here and the return of the usual questions. Reporters asked questions about his shooting stroke and how his defense would translate from the 2-3 zone to the NBA — two questions he said he’s been asked “a million times” during the draft process — and the bumpy road he’s taken to this moment.

That road began before he flashed the playmaking ability that’s made him such an intriguing prospect, when he was a high school star and friend of potential No. 1-pick Nerlens Noel “before the flattop.” He was viewed as a scorer, a role he had to embrace for St. Andrew’s School (R.I.) to win games. With the Orange he developed into a passer, but it took time. He struggled to get on the floor as a freshman and had an admittedly bumpy relationship with Jim Boeheim.

“A lot of ups and downs,” Carter-Williams said.

Now he credits Boeheim for preparing him for life as a professional. The legendary head coach gets flack from time to time for running a lax program — they don’t do shootarounds and he doesn’t impose a curfew — but it’s trusting that his players will act in a professional manner.

“He teaches you how to be a man and be responsible,” Carter-Williams said. “He doesn’t baby us.”

Carter-Williams talks with other former Orange players in the NBA – he and former teammate Dion Waiters are especially close – but he’s also added another high-profile NBA star to his inner circle.

Carter-Williams has been favorably compared to former All-Star point guard and current Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd. The two boast frames of 6 feet 4 inches or bigger, massive by point-guard standards, keen floor vision and struggled with the jump shot early in their careers.

The former SU point guard signed on with Kidd’s agency and has leaned on the future Hall of Famer for advice.

“It’s one reason I really wanted to reach out to him, because I mold my game after his,” Carter-Williams said. “He’s a great player, had a great career — unbelievable — he’s a winner, so to learn from someone like him is great.”

Carter-Williams’ college career ended in Atlanta at the Final Four, a loss he said he tries not to remember. He was an honorable mention All-American, but some SU fans scoffed at the notion of him as a lottery pick. He was inconsistent for much of his sophomore season, even if he shined in postseason play.

But any on-court adversity pales in comparison to the March 23 fire that burned down his Hamilton, Mass., home. It’s hit his family more than it’s hit him, he said, and this weekend will be a welcome distraction —they’re all in New York for the Draft.

He’ll also share the green room with his good friend Noel. They spent time together before Wednesday’s event and their relationship is just a reminder of how far they’ve come.

“It’s just a dream come true of us, so we’re just taking it all in,” Noel said. “Being able to have him here, growing up with him, it’s real special.”

Carter-Williams worked out with seven teams leading up to the draft and has tried to figure out who could be leaning toward choosing him, but he can’t figure it out. He’s not thinking too much about Thursday — what happens is no longer in his hands — but the experience will always be something to remember.

“I’m just enjoying the moment,” Carter-Williams said. “I’m not doing too much to think about tomorrow. I’m just enjoying this whole process.”

Published on June 26, 2013 at 3:47 pm

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