NEW YORK — As NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver called the final names — some recognizable NCAA stars, others largely unknown foreign players — James Southerland remained seated with friends and family in his section overlooking the green room.

Though his name wasn’t called, he was still upbeat, shaking hands and hugging fans who came to support of the hometown player, including former Syracuse teammate Griffin Hoffman.

“I’m from New York,” Southerland said with a smile.

Southerland was projected by many as a second-round pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but as Thursday became Friday and the night winded down, his name, along with Brandon Triche’s, went uncalled, leaving Michael Carter-Williams, the No. 11 pick, as the only Orange player selected.

“It is what it is,” Southerland said. “It’s disappointing, but I’m going to keep playing.”

Triche was not available for comment, but reportedly signed with the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.

The next step for Southerland is an invite to a team’s training camp, which could be better for the sharpshooting forward — he might be able to choose his team instead of some team choosing him.

Some time late in the second round, Southerland fielded a call from the San Antonio Spurs offering to select him at No. 58 if he would be willing to go overseas for a year, but Southerland declined, his high school coach Ron Naclerio said. Naclerio said Southerland has heard from several teams, but as of Friday morning had yet to sign with anyone.

Southerland shot his way onto the NBA Draft radar with his record-setting Big East Tournament performance across town at Madison Square Garden. He drilled a record 19 3-pointers during the four games, breaking a record held by former Syracuse guard Gerry McNamara. For the season Southerland shot 39.8 percent from beyond the arc, making an average of 2.5 3s per game. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 29.5 minutes, usually off the bench.

He was, however, able to see his former teammate, Carter-Williams, become SU’s second lottery pick in as many years.

“I’m happy for him,” Southerland said. “He was great in his short career.”

Published on June 28, 2013 at 12:49 am

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