DaJuan Summers was drafted to the Detroit Pistons {Thanks, AP}

Last night was draft night for the NBA, and for young basketball players hoping of making a name for themselves in the league, it was the beginning of a different journey.

Baltimore native DaJuan Summers had expected to go in the first round, but instead was drafted early in the second.

The former Georgetown Hoya was picked 35th overall by the Detroit Pistons.

Dropping out of the first round means Summers’ isn’t guaranteed a professional contract, but analysts still expect for him to don the Pistons red and blue next season.

He’ll join former Gonzaga standout Austin Daye who was drafted 15th by the Pistons, a spot some thought might be reserved for him.

When the two come together, they could be part of helping the Pistons rebuild if free agents such as Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess leave the team.

Summers tells The Baltimore Sun he hopes to prove his doubters wrong and prove himself as a player.

The player who once drew comparisons to fellow Baltimorean Carmelo Anthony hopes to have a shine all his own.

Anastasia Wynn attended high school with Summers and is also a basketball player at Johns Hopkins University here in Baltimore.

She thinks Summers will definitely make an impact in the league.

She says, “DaJuan is a great player who poses many threats, his size (at 6-8) gives him a great advantage and he can also shoot the ball. His versatility will help him in the NBA. I think he definitely should have been picked in first round pick but it is what is.”

Good news as well for another Baltimore native Jack McClinton a University of Miami standout was also drafted in the second round last night.

McClinton who played high school ball at Calvert Hall before heading to prep school, hopes to make the Spurs roster and show what he’s made of having been a top three point shooter.

So for both Summers and McClinton their dream will take a little more hard work but as Williams Jennings Bryan once said, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

Of Summers’ efforts at impressing the Pistons, Wynn adds, “I talked to him earlier today and just told him to just work hard now and show the teams that didn’t pick him, what they missed out on. Watching him mature as a player and individual i have no doubt that he will be successful. He has a good head on his shoulders. He is truly blessed and Im very happy for him.”

We’ll find out more about how NBA teams are shaping up when the free agency period starts in a little over a week.

All the excitement kind of makes you wish Bmore had an NBA team so the hometown boys would have something to come home to, I can dream right?

Questions or comments, feel free to reach me @ bchrisnelson@gmail.com.

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