Sweetening Draft, Berry Decides to Forgo Last Year at St. John's and Turn Pro

By SAM McMANIS

May 6, 1986 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

Without a dominant player like Patrick Ewing as the grand prize, this Sunday’s second National Basketball Assn. draft lottery figures to be missing the intrigue and circus atmosphere that was present at last year’s drawing to determine the first seven positions in next month’s draft.

But the surprising news Monday that St. John’s forward Walter Berry, 1985-86 college basketball Player of the Year, has decided to forgo his senior season and turn professional will give the seven lottery participants at least one more quality player from which to choose.

Although Berry is not a consensus No. 1 pick, as Ewing was a year ago, the 6-foot 8-inch power forward most likely will be picked in the top seven. Clearly, his addition improves the depth of the draft, which was considered weak until several top underclassman declared themselves eligible.

The seven teams in the lottery are Golden State, Indiana, New York, Dallas with a pick from Cleveland, Phoenix, Philadelphia with a pick from the Clippers, and Boston with a pick from Seattle.

Cleveland has exercised its right to buy a first-round draft pick. The Cavaliers’ choice will follow Dallas’, but it cannot be higher than third overall.

“It’ll be interesting to see where Berry goes in the draft,” said Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix’s general manager. “Some people think he may miss the lottery and will be selected later in the first round. Once we know the order of the draft, then we’ll get an indication of who is going to pick whom.”

Berry joins a list of eligible underclassmen that includes center William Bedford of Memphis State, center Chris Washburn of North Carolina State, guard Dwayne (Pearl) Washington of Syracuse and forward John Williams of LSU. Among the top seniors in the draft are forwards Len Bias of Maryland, Brad Daugherty of North Carolina, Kenny Walker of Kentucky, Chuck Person of Auburn and Brad Sellers of Ohio State, and guards Johnny Dawkins of Duke and Scott Skiles of Michigan State.

The deadline for filing for “hardship” status in the June 17 draft was last Saturday, and Berry announced Monday in New York that he submitted his name by mail just before the deadline. Berry was named the Associated Press’ Player of the Year and also won the John Wooden Award as the outstanding college player in a national vote of sportswriters.

Two weeks ago, Berry said that he intended to return to St. John’s for his senior season because he wasn’t assured of being the first overall draft pick. Had Berry stayed at St. John’s, he most likely would have been the top draft pick in 1987.

Asked why he changed his mind, Berry said: “All I know in my heart is that I want to play (in the NBA). No matter where I get picked, I’ve got to live with it. Right now, all I want to do is get on a team.”

Berry averaged 23 points and 11.1 rebounds for St. John’s last season and was a consensus All-American.

But pro scouts, who have questioned Berry’s outside shooting and ball handling, have not given him high ratings. Marty Blake, head scout for the NBA, said a month ago that Berry would be wise to stay in school another year. “Walter is an inside player right now,” Blake said. “He can’t do that in pro ball.”

Said Phoenix’s Colangelo: “Unless Walter Berry knows something we don’t, he won’t be the No. 1 pick. My opinion, based on my conversations with other (executives from) lottery teams, is that he won’t go real high.”

Berry said he fears his value as a player might decrease if he stays at St. John’s another year.

“This year was a great one for me, and still I was criticized that I wasn’t top-notch material,” Berry said. “If my stock were to go down a great deal next year, if I had a poor season, they would forget about everything and then where would I be? So, this is why I feel I have to go now.”

Said Colangelo: “Generally speaking, I’m for players staying in school until after their senior year. But in Berry’s case, how high is high? I mean, he had a great year and he probably won’t be able to do much better than that next year, so maybe it’s time for him to go.”

Lou Carnesecca, St. John’s coach, grudgingly admitted that it is Berry’s time.

“You hate to lose a player like Walter,” Carnesecca said. “But this is progress, this is life. Every player wants to go to the big leagues.

“We put all the cards on the table and presented him with all the information we could and he made a decision. He’s a great player and it’s good for me to see one of my kids so highly thought of. He’ll be an excellent pro.”

The NBA Draft

A Who’s Who List

Underclassmen Walter Berry St. John’s

William Bedford Memphis State

Chris Washburn North Carolina St.

Pearl Washington Syracuse

John Williams LSU

Seniors Len Bias Maryland

Brad Daugherty North Carolina

Kenny Walker Kentucky

Chuck Person Auburn

Brad Sellers Ohio State