Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 14, 1995 TAG: 9507060092
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: BUIES CREEK, N. C. LENGTH: Medium
Dave Odom disputed a report last week that several NBA teams had lost interest in drafting Randolph Childress because the Wake Forest guard had a surly attitude.
``I just find that impossible to believe. I can't conceive of him saying a surly word to anyone,'' said the Demon Deacons' coach, responding publicly to the report for the first time Tuesday. ``I had him for five years and there never was a surly moment in his life around me or any of his teammates.''
An article last week in The News & Observer of Raleigh quoted Charlotte Hornets coach Allan Bristow as saying several general managers had talked to him about Childress' attitude in a negative way.
Seniors expected to be drafted in the first round routinely visit with teams in the weeks before the college draft in late June.
``I find it somewhat ironic that anyone who coaches in the NBA would be concerned about something like that when a good portion of that league goes out of its way to present itself as being somewhat arrogant ... certainly not down to earth by any means,'' Odom said in an interview before speaking at Campbell University's basketball school.
``I find it a little ironic, too, that Allan would say things like that - he's never called me,'' Odom said. ``If he's concerned about it, I've coached the kid for five years and known him for seven, I would think that he would want to call me. I also find it tremendously ironic that the next week they are inviting him into camp. Maybe there is a smoke screen there.''
Childress, a 6-foot-2 senior, is a two-time first team All-ACC player and was named the most valuable player in the conference tournament with one of the most memorable performances in the event's history, leading Wake Forest to its first title in 33 years.
He is also is regarded as one of the best clutch players in ACC history when the game was on the line.
Odom doesn't believe the negative publicity will hurt Childress in the upcoming draft. The coach said he has heard projections from a late lottery pick to No.22.
``If he falls dead in the middle of that I think it would be a good draft for him,'' Odom said.
``This time of year, with virtually two weeks to go before the draft, I don't think anybody is going to tell you the truth because everybody is protecting their own interest.''
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB