NEW YORK - Chris Wilcox had a strong feeling he was headed to a big city to begin his NBA career. He just had the wrong coast in mind.
Last night, less than three months after completing a meteoric rise as a sophomore power forward for the national champion Maryland Terrapins, Wilcox joined the Los Angeles Clippers as the eighth player selected in the NBA draft at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.
Wilcox, who withdrew early from Maryland in April since he was assured he would be a lottery pick, got his wish - although heavy pre-draft speculation had him pointed toward the New York Knicks and the No. 7 slot.
The Clippers, a longtime doormat who are on the verge of being a playoff contender, already have 6-foot-8 Elton Brand, a budding star. The Clippers caused further head-scratching by selecting 6-10 forward Melvin Ely with their 12th pick, increasing speculation that a trade is in the mix involving one of their rookies.
Wilcox, who admitted he got caught up in the talk about his future in New York - the Knicks reportedly were thrilled with the former Terrapin's pre-draft workouts - greeted his selection with a lukewarm response, saying he was "a little bit" disappointed.
"Everything happens for a reason. I think it will be a great thing for me to go to the Clippers. There are a lot of young guys on the Clippers, and they are an up-and-coming team and I think I would fit in well out there," said the 6-10 Wilcox, looking resplendent in a dark blue, pinstripe suit.
"There was a lot of talk that the Knicks wanted me bad. I thought I was coming to New York, but it didn't work out and I don't mind going to the Clippers. I wasn't coming into the draft to go to one certain team. I came to the draft to get to the NBA. I'm going to Los Angeles, the city of dreams."
Wilcox fulfilled phase one of a dream last night. Ever since enjoying a breakout season as a junior at Whiteville (N.C.) High School, he has envisioned himself playing professional basketball. Soon, he will sign a guaranteed, three-year contract worth about $5.5 million.
Not bad for a guy who averaged a modest 7.9 points and 4.8 rebounds over two seasons at Maryland. But this is what happens when a gifted athlete shines during one collegiate season and helps his school win a national title.
As a sophomore, Wilcox rode the bench for the first 10 games before starting the final 26 and making a huge impact for the 32-4 Terps. He went on to average 12 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in only 24.1 minutes a game, and he made his presence felt in big games by running the floor, blocking shots, rebounding and with highlight-reel dunks.
During Final Four victories over Kansas and Indiana, Wilcox out-played fellow draftees Drew Gooden and Jared Jeffries. He scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds that weekend. He also dominated fellow lottery pick Mike Dunleavy in an 87-73 victory over then top-ranked Duke on Feb. 17 by scoring a career-high 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
"Now, I'm just hoping everything works out for me, and hopefully I have a great career in this league," Wilcox said.
Wilcox also set the table for a historic night for the University of Maryland. When former Maryland teammate Juan Dixon was taken at No. 17 by the Washington Wizards, it marked only the third time the Terps have had two players selected in the first round of the draft, joining Tom McMillen and Len Elmore (1974) and Buck Williams and Albert King (1981).