Current Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton had what could only be describe as a disastrous run as Washington Wizards coach ten years ago, finishing his one and only season at the helm with a 19-63 record, and then depending on who you believe either being fired by Michael Jordan or willfully resigning following the final game of the 2000-2001 regular season. All these years later, it looks like Hamilton has finally helped out the Wizards, stressing a defense approach to the Wizards 18th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Seminoles forward Chris Singleton.
Via Michael Lee of the Washington Post:
"Just you've got to dictate on defensive end," Singleton, who slipped to the Wizards at the 18th pick, said Hamilton told him. "You can't always let the offensive player just get where he wants and like. That and you've got to scout teams. That's one thing we did a lot. We broke down teams and that's something that he said was going to be in the NBA and something I'm going to have to get used to. I think he made me most prepared than any other spot I would have went to."
The Wizards were ecstatic to find Singleton still waiting from them with the 18th pick, and happily grabbed the versatile defender and two-time All-ACC Defensive Team selection when their pick was up. Singleton's ability to guard multiple positions and his length (Jay Bilas'd) should bolster a defense that already has a strong defensive presence in the middle in JaVale McGee.