---

The pre-draft camp in Chicago is over, the early entry deadline has passed, and we're only a couple of days away from the NBA Expansion draft. The following is a recount on the success of three virtual unknowns at the Chicago Pre-Draft camp. Each player far exceeded expectations and has secured himself a spot on the draft board.

Beno Udrih, 22, 6'4, 200lb, PG

A virtual unknown coming into the camp, Udrih emerged as one of the better PG's in Chicago, showing a penchant for getting to the line and an adept ability to dish the rock.

His draft profile remarks about his first step, NBA shooting range and ability to drive both left and right. He's a left-handed point guard listed at 6'3", 200lbs, so he's got good size to back up his ever-improving game.

Having played in Europe since he was 17, Udrih had yet to test his game against American players in a competitive setting. The pre-draft camp was a great opportunity for him to prove whether he could play against his peers and is worthy of a second round pick.

Udrih played a total of 45 minutes in the two games he played, scoring 28 points on 7-of-14 shooting, good for 4th in scoring at 14ppg. Beno also got to the line with ease, making his defender pay by hitting all of his 14 free throws. He was 0-2 from behind the line, and had nine turnovers, but snatched 2.0spg and led the entire camp with 6.5apg and perfect FT shooting. He was 3rd in total FT attempts and FT makes playing one less game than everyone else.

He's still touted as a second round pick, but having raised more than a few eyebrows at the camp, he may just be on the bubble for the late first round.

Jackson Vroman, 23, 6'10, 225lb, C

Like most 6'10 senior big men, Vroman is projected as middle second round pick. This however doesn't speak for his game, which was quite apparent in Chicago, where he dominated the inside with his hustle and athleticism. Vroman was getting to the line at an exponential rate, seemingly at the line every other possession for team 6. He finished the camp having taken an astounding 30FTA in 63minutes(3 games) He led the camp with a .619FG% (13-21) as well as 10FTA per game. He finished top 10 in total reb (5.3) but ripped down 11 offensive boards good for second overall. He also led all F/C with 2.3apg, showing the ability to pass out of the post to an open mate when he gets locked down.

Jackson plays in the Big 12, which pits him up against the top competition in the nation. He's shown himself to be a tremendous rebounder and an ever-improving offensive player (13ppg 9.5reb both seasons at Iowa St) His biggest weakness is his poor FT shooting (.510 in college, .567 at the camp) but more importantly, with his height and athleticism, he has shown the ability to play superior interior defense at one end of the court while, getting to the line or setting up a teammate whenever he touches the ball at the other. Three important commodities that any team would gladly like from their big men.

Jackie Butler, 19, 6'9, 260lb, PF

Butler is a high school senior who wasn't even regarded as a second round pick. That was until Chicago, of course. Jackie blew everyone away, emerging as the fiercest rebounder at both ends of the court, pulling down 9.3 boards per game, including 5.6 at the offensive end! He also cashed in 9ppg on .435 shooting (10-of-23), and hit 7-of-10 free throws.

Butler has a serious wingspan (7'1) for a player his size, and has everyone thinking "Elton Brand" the way he crashes the offensive boards. He's not an overly dominating shot-blocker, but still managed more than a block per game in Chicago. With a trimmed-down frame through an NBA conditioning program, he should improve his hops and get a few more blocks at the next level.

Butler is currently listed as a late second round pick, and may not get drafted, but as I always say, "being listed on the draft board is better than being at home bored, listlessly watching the draft."