It certainly was a big night for the Big 5.
A total of three Philadelphia collegiate players were taken in the NBA Draft last week, one of the strongest showings ever from the area.
And for most who followed Philadelphia basketball this year, it was nothing out of the ordinary.
Villanova, which finished the season as a top-5 team and garnered a No. 1-seed at the Big Dance, produced two first-round picks in senior guard Randy Foye -- the Big East Player of the Year -- and sophomore guard Kyle Lowry. Foye, who is attempting to make the move from a shooting guard to the point, was taken seventh overall by Boston, but he ended up going to Portland before settling in at Minnesota. Lowry was taken 24th overall by Memphis. The tandem became the first ever pair of Wildcats to go in the first round.
"Randy has a chance to play alongside a great player in Kevin Garnett and that's a great situation for him," said Villanova coach Jay Wright.
Also drafted in the first round was Temple senior Mardy Collins, the first Owls player taken since 2000. Collins, a 6-foot-6 guard who draws comparisons to another Temple great, Aaron McKie, went 29th overall to rebuilding New York. "They thought it was the right decision, so I'm going to go in there and work hard and not pay attention to any distractions," said Collins in reference to the Knicks' recent coaching change.
Meanwhile, senior Allan Ray of Villanova, who was projected by some as a mid-second-round selection, was not taken at all. But soon afterwards, he signed a contract to play in Boston's summer league.
"I've never seen a college kid have as good a career as him and not get drafted," said Danny Ainge, the Celtics' director of basketball operations. "We think he has a chance to make our team, and he was one of the best shooters in college basketball."
The only other Big 5 player with a shot at the draft was two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Steven Smith. The senior forward has not announced any plans for the future as of yet.
New York state of mind
Meanwhile, the Penn basketball team will have to deal with a unique road trip to start its next season.
The Quakers will participate in a tournament hosted by Syracuse and also involving St. Francis College. According to the St. Francis athletic department, the competition would be a "3-team tournament" that will run from Nov. 10-12.
It is not clear yet if the Tournament is an exempt one or not. If it is, additional contests beyond the first round would not count against the number of nonconference opponents the Quakers are allowed to play.
Big 5 Roundup
St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli will welcome yet another new face on his bench next season.
David Duda, who had served as the athletic director and basketball coach at D-III Widener -- Martelli's alma mater -- was hired as an assistant for the Hawks. He replaces Mike Rice, who left for Pittsburgh.
In addition, Drexel landed an Atlantic Coast Conference product in Evan Neisler, who transferred from Boston College to the Dragons last week.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
