LIVE from the Prudential Center: It's Draft Night in the NBA

6:15 p.m. Update by Jesse Newell:

I talked to Kansas center Jeff Withey a few days ago to get his thoughts about Thomas Robinson in tonight's draft.

"He?s for sure a top-five pick," Withey said. "I think he proved a lot throughout this year, making it to the championship game. He?s a winner. I think it would be stupid not to pick him up top five, and hopefully No. 2.

"I think Anthony Davis is definitely a lock for No. 1, so if Thomas can get that No. 2 spot, that?s awesome for him."

Withey said the NBA Draft would be different for him this year because he knows so many players that are going to be selected.

"It?s definitely going to be cool to watch and fun to watch, rooting for Thomas and Tyshawn," Withey said. "I think Tyshawn is going to surprise a lot of people and go pretty high. It is definitely going to be something I?ll watch with a lot of people and make a day of it."

Withey also will be watching this year's draft knowing he could have been a part of it. He ultimately chose to return to KU for his senior year.

"It?s definitely something I thought about, but I?m happy with my decision," Withey said. "It?s definitely going to be cool to guess where I would have gone, but it?s probably a really stressful thing, and I?m glad I waited another whole year to have to deal with that."

6:11 p.m. Update by Jesse Newell:

A few more photos from Matt showing Thomas Robinson just before the draft.

5:45 p.m. Update by Jesse Newell:

Here are a few photos Matt has sent along from New Jersey:

This is the set for ESPN's broadcast of the 2012 NBA Draft from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., highlights the main portion of the draft floor.

Here's a look at the stage inside the interview room where the draftees talk to the media after they're picked. http://www2.kusports.com/users/photos...

Here's the view ??bright lights and all ? that Thomas Robinson will have while talking to the media after he is selected. That's former NBA star Ron Harper in the front row. Naturally, when the players are in there the room will be full.

And this is a quick look at the green room about an hour before draft time. Thomas Robinson will sit with his sister Jayla and her father, Angel Morris, a childhood friend from DC and his AAU coach. Former Jayhawks Marcus and Markieff Morris are expected to be here tonight, but they won't be at Robinson's table.

5:14 p.m. Update by Matt Tait:

The stage is set ? literally and figuratively ? for tonight's NBA Draft in Newark, N.J. by Matt Tait

Recently overheard an official with the Washington Wizards discussing their options. Sounded like a lot of what Washington does hinges on what happens with Robinson at No. 2. It sounds like if Charlotte stays and takes T-Rob, Washington will pick a different guy or trade down. If Charlotte stays and takes someone else, or trades and the new team takes someone else, Washington may look very hard at Robinson at No. 3.

Not huge news, obviously, but it was interesting to hear this from the Wizards.

In other news, I just saw a report that said the Celtics may be trying to trade up for Austin Rivers, the son of head coach Doc Rivers. My first reaction: What?!?!?!

I like Rivers, but I don't know why dad would want to trade up to get son. Talk about pressure. We'll see what happens.

More to come.

Original Post, 5:00 p.m.

Hello, and welcome to the official Draft Night blog from KUSports.com.

Matt Tait is live in Newark, N.J., at the Prudential Center, where Thomas Robinson is expected to go among the first five picks in tonight?s draft.

Also in New Jersey, although not in the arena, is hometown guy, Tyshawn Taylor, a four-year Jayhawk who could go as high as the mid-20s or could last into the middle of the second round.

It?s a very different night and experience for both guys, but one that expects to end with a lot of smiles and hugs.

Robinson, the runner-up in most national player of the year votes, will be joined in the Green Room by his 9-year-old sister, Jayla, his AAU coach, a friend from Washington D.C., and Angel Morris, the mother of former KU players Marcus and Markieff Morris, who were drafted in this very building one year ago.

As is customary, most of today was spent with rumors flying around and teams trying to jockey for position on the draft board. Those moves ? if they?re made ? could impact Robinson directly, who has a good shot at going second overall if Charlotte stays there but could drop to four or five if Charlotte trades the pick.

Dropping to four or five sure doesn?t sound like a bad deal, and it seems safe to assume that Robinson won?t be in the Green Room for long.

Although the past several weeks were spent with these guys traveling all over the country working out with this team or the other, that?s all behind them now. All that remains is for NBA commissioner David Stern to call their names and the euphoria that follows to ensue.

We?ll be here all night offering our thoughts on the picks and Matt will be checking in from Newark, N.J., as often as possible with pics, videos and his thoughts.

Hang out all night or keep checking back whenever you can. It?s Draft night and that?s becoming more and more of a big deal for Kansas fans.

For those looking to kill time before the first ? or maybe the second ? pick, here?s Matt?s story from yesterday, which looks at what Robinson and Taylor did in their final days leading up to tonight?s big moment.

Stay tuned for much, much more and enjoy the draft!

Source: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2012/jun/28/live-from-the-prudential-center-its-draf/

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