Renaldo Balkman
From Hoopedia
Renaldo Balkman (born July 14, 1984 in Staten Island, New York) is an American professional basketball player, formerly of the University of South Carolina, who was drafted by the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks in the first round (20th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft. He is not to be confused with former NBA player Rolando Blackman.
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High School
Prior to attending Laurinburg Institute, he was at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. At Laurinburg, he led his team to 40-2 record and No. 1 national prep school ranking. Team won the Prep School Nationals ... Also named a finalist for McDonald's All-American. Teammates at Laurinburg included Boubacar Coly (Xavier), Regis Koundjaia (LSU) and Keith Blanks (Texas A&M). Averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds during the 2001-02 season. Also attended Armwood and Blake High Schools his freshman and sophomore years, respectively.
College
Recruitment
Balkman was a little known player in high school at the Laurinburg Institute, but he was discovered in 2002 by University of South Carolina coach Dave Odom, who instantly saw his potential. According to Odom, "I remember the first time I saw Renaldo Balkman. I was sitting in Orlando in a gym with (South Carolina assistant coach) Barry Sanderson and I asked him 'who is that kid with the dreadlocks? That's the guy we need'. He came back and said nobody knows his name." Balkman was recruited and signed by Carolina, having received little to no interest from any other major basketball programs.
Playing
Balkman had played an integral role in South Carolina's two wins over eventual national champion Florida during the 2005-2006 college basketball season. He was also the 2006 NIT Most Valuable Player, averaging 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
NBA
2006 Draft
The Knicks' choice of Balkman in the first round surprised many, notably ESPN's Jay Bilas, who noted that projected lottery pick Marcus Williams was still available. ESPN columnist Bill Simmons, among others, joked that perhaps Isiah Thomas thought he was drafting Rolando Blackman, a former Knicks player. There was further controversy when the Knicks' general manager, Isiah Thomas, claimed that the Phoenix Suns were prepared to take him; the Suns claimed that he wasn't even "on [their] radar". In the NBA's official draft guide, which was released to all reporters covering the draft, Balkman was not included in the list of the 300 top players eligible to be drafted in the 2006-07 rookie class. However, the Knicks selected Balkman with their first of two draft picks, which was 20th overall.
For the 6-foot-8 Balkman, a defensive banger whose style Isiah Thomas has likened to Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest, the 2006 NIT MVP award was a fitting capper to a three-year college career that produced 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and a .553 shooting average. The fact that he did not earn a lot of notoriety prior to the Draft only heightened the drama for Renaldo and those around him when the Knicks made him their first of two opening-round picks. Balkman was drafted by the Knicks alongside Mardy Collins of Temple University (29th overall).
In the Las Vegas Summer League before the 2006-2007 season, Balkman averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1 block and 2.4 turnovers during the span of 5 games. He played along current Knick teammates Channing Frye, David Lee, Nate Robinson & Mardy Collins.
Balkman played in 68 games during the 2006-07 NBA season, averaging 15.6 minutes, 4.9 points, and 4.3 rebounds. He logged four double-doubles (10 or more points accompanying 10 or more rebounds) and showed promise, particularly on the defensive end where he was called upon to guard multiple positions, from shooting guard to center. The press praised Balkman, describing him as a "sparkplug off the bench" and a "crowd favorite for his hustle and enthusiastic defense," though he was criticized for his poor outside shooting.
