Greene and Dorsey are Houston-bound.

by Derek Toney

(See video below)

From the playgrounds of Baltimore to the Carrier Dome, Donte Greene has been linked to Carmelo Anthony. With his dream of making the National Basketball Association secured, Greene now finds himself connected to another former MIAA and Baltimore Catholic League standout, at least temporarily.

Greene was the 28th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday night in the first round of the NBA draft. The move would unite the 6-foot-10 forward from Syracuse University and Towson Catholic High, withn former Archbishop Spalding standout Rudy Gay.

Greene, however, said his draft rights were going to be traded to the Houston Rockets, but nothing was officially was announced Thursday evening. Greene waited at home for nearly an hour with his brother, cousin, agent Phil Strickland and Syracuse assistant coach Rob Murphy for his name to be called by NBA Commissioner David Stern. Meanwhile, nearly 200 friends and family waited at AMF Pikesville Lanes.

"I had to stay in hiding," said Greene, who arrived at the Baltimore County bowling alley around 10:30 p.m. "It’s enough pressure on my being drafted, but I didn’t want here in front of everybody. Just being at home and being able to focus and talk to my manager who had to calm me down. I got picked by Memphis and so I’m definitely blessed about that."

While Greene appears headed to Memphis, Frederick Douglass High graduate Joey Dorsey is leaving the Tennessee city for the NBA. Dorsey, a defensive stalwart for men’s national runners-up University of Memphis, was selected in the second round by the Portland Trailblazers.

Projected as a mid-first rounder, Greene ended up towards the end of the opening round. Some draft analysts believed Greene should have stayed one more year at Syracuse, but Greene said he’s ready to take on the professional grind after just one season at the Big East school.

"He’s going to do very well," said Towson Catholic coach Josh Pratt, who coached Greene as a high school junior and senior and was an assistant at Spalding when Gay played. "I think teams draft on need, experience and size. I’m hoping this will be a very good fit for him. Now, he’s in the league and he got to take it to the next level."

Greene’s selection took place exactly five years after Anthony, who also starred at Towson Catholic, was a lottery pick by the Denver Nuggets. Greene played with the Team Melo AAU program in Baltimore, and sought advice from Anthony.

"He just told me I had to work out hard and be in shape for my workouts," said Greene, who led Syracuse in scoring last season and was a Big East Conference All-Rookie selection. "I went into my workouts pretty strong and confident. I was definitely well prepared."

As Greene celebrated his accomplishment with hugs, kisses and pictures with his family and friends, he wished his mother, April, could’ve been there. She died in 2001 when Donte was 13 years old. He started playing basketball as a way to honor her memory.

"I hope she’s proud. I am definitely blessed for what she instilled in me, a strong African-American man," said Greene. "I’m going to continue working hard and try to make it to the top."

CHARM CITY ROCKETS

Greene and Dorsey are Houston-bound.

Published: 06/27/2008

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CHARM CITY ROCKETS Greene and Dorsey are Houston-bound. Published: 06/27/2008 by Derek Toney (See video below) From the playgrounds of Baltimore to the Carrier Dome, Donte Greene has been linked to Carmelo Anthony. With his dream of making the National Basketball Association secured, Greene now finds himself connected to another former MIAA and Baltimore Catholic League standout, at least temporarily. Greene was the 28th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday night in the first round of the NBA draft. The move would unite the 6-foot-10 forward from Syracuse University and Towson Catholic High, withn former Archbishop Spalding standout Rudy Gay. Greene, however, said his draft rights were going to be traded to the Houston Rockets, but nothing was officially was announced Thursday evening. Greene waited at home for nearly an hour with his brother, cousin, agent Phil Strickland and Syracuse assistant coach Rob Murphy for his name to be called by NBA Commissioner David Stern. Meanwhile, nearly 200 friends and family waited at AMF Pikesville Lanes. "I had to stay in hiding," said Greene, who arrived at the Baltimore County bowling alley around 10:30 p.m. "It’s enough pressure on my being drafted, but I didn’t want here in front of everybody. Just being at home and being able to focus and talk to my manager who had to calm me down. I got picked by Memphis and so I’m definitely blessed about that." While Greene appears headed to Memphis, Frederick Douglass High graduate Joey Dorsey is leaving the Tennessee city for the NBA. Dorsey, a defensive stalwart for men’s national runners-up University of Memphis, was selected in the second round by the Portland Trailblazers. Projected as a mid-first rounder, Greene ended up towards the end of the opening round. Some draft analysts believed Greene should have stayed one more year at Syracuse, but Greene said he’s ready to take on the professional grind after just one season at the Big East school. "He’s going to do very well," said Towson Catholic coach Josh Pratt, who coached Greene as a high school junior and senior and was an assistant at Spalding when Gay played. "I think teams draft on need, experience and size. I’m hoping this will be a very good fit for him. Now, he’s in the league and he got to take it to the next level." Greene’s selection took place exactly five years after Anthony, who also starred at Towson Catholic, was a lottery pick by the Denver Nuggets. Greene played with the Team Melo AAU program in Baltimore, and sought advice from Anthony. "He just told me I had to work out hard and be in shape for my workouts," said Greene, who led Syracuse in scoring last season and was a Big East Conference All-Rookie selection. "I went into my workouts pretty strong and confident. I was definitely well prepared." As Greene celebrated his accomplishment with hugs, kisses and pictures with his family and friends, he wished his mother, April, could’ve been there. She died in 2001 when Donte was 13 years old. He started playing basketball as a way to honor her memory. "I hope she’s proud. I am definitely blessed for what she instilled in me, a strong African-American man," said Greene. "I’m going to continue working hard and try to make it to the top."
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