After what resulted in a seemingly uneventful draft evening for Dallas Mavericks fans, with the #51 selection, Rick Carlisle’s first draft pick as new Mavericks head coach was Vanderbilt’s Shan Foster.

Here’s what I like about the pick:

• Foster was a four year player at Vanderbilt so the Mavs should have a better idea of what they’re getting compared to all the teams who drafted “one and done” players last night
• Foster was named the ‘07-’08 SEC player of the year averaging 20.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game
• Foster represented the US in the 2007 Pan American games finishing the tournament as the squad’s second leading scorer and third leading rebounder



• He’s not a Euro. Hopefully I’m not the only one who’s lost faith in Donnie Nelson’s foreign scouting. Sure he landed Dirk, but there have been plenty of misses along the way as well.
• The Mavs need a new SG and at 6′6″ having shot 46.9% on three pointers last season he may grow into the role some day.
• Beyond basketball, “he’s an interesting kid.”
  • Even with his NBA potential, Foster earned a degree in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt which is no small task and even his professors were impressed by his dedication to his schoolwork.
  • He’s a good character guy who seems to have his focus in the right place and is even an accomplished pianist. “There are a lot of things more important than just basketball,” he said. “Basketball obviously means a lot to me, but if I can use basketball as an avenue to be a blessing to other people, then that’s even better.” -Shan Foster

  

Here’s what I don’t like:

• Donnie Nelson suggests that the ‘need was a shooter rather than a slasher. Hopefully, that’s because they have trade or free agent plans to bring in someone who will get to the rim because it seems like they have enough players who enjoy the perimeter jumper.

I asked specifically about Memphis SG Chris Douglas-Roberts. Nelson acknowledged that the Mavs were surprised CDR slipped as far as he did. However, Nelson indicated that the Mavs thought Shan Foster’s shooting ability made him a better fit than CDR, a slasher. - Mavs Blog

Overall, my appreciation of Shan Foster the man outweighs any concern I have for young Nelly’s assessment of need. With that, I’m going to be late for work.