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Value of Draft Camp Stretches Beyond June 24 For Prospects

Twelve more college players are back at the PNY Center Thursday, trying out for the likes of Rod Thorn, Mike D'Antoni, Larry Bird and Kevin Pritchard.  The news out of the first of three daily sessions on Wednesday was that New Mexico's 6'7" SF/SG Darington Hobson had outplayed a similar sized but better known wingman, UConn's Stanley Robinson.  Thursday's word was that Notre Dame's 6'8" PF Luke Harangody played well...as did 6'8" PF Gani Lawal, Derrick Favors frontcourt mate at Georgia Tech, and Wayne Chism, Tennessee's 6'9" PF.

Happens all the time, say those who travel to these group workouts.  Last year, for example, Austin Daye, Gonzaga's 6'11" SF, got rave reviews and wound up in Detroit with the first pick outside the lottery.  And Wes Matthews, Marquette's 6'5" SG, had an even more unlikely experience.  Jazz scouts liked him so much he was given a camp invite after not being drafted. He became a key player in this year's playoff run.

Who's this year's winners?  Hobson appears to be one, but there will be others, John Schuhmann of NBA.com writes.  "You could always find a diamond in the rough there.' says the Nets' Bobby Marks, who's running the camp. "It gives you exposure to those types of kids."