I tried to tell you, Mardo. "You need another year," I said. "Don't do it," I said. "Someone is blowing sunshine up your ass," I said. But no, your mind was made up. You were going to get drafted. Well... best of luck in the Israeli league or wherever you end up, mon, because you got drafted exactly where I said you would: not at all.

Of course there's still a chance you'll get to play in the NBA. You'll get invited to somebody's camp, and have a chance to work out for them. But it's an uphill battle, and in any event, your dreams of getting drafted are over.

I read somewhere that you were rated just behind Derrick Caracter at the PF. Caracter went 28th - third-last - in the second round; Miami's Dwayne Collins went 30th and last. Who knows? Maybe you'd have been the first pick in the third round.

I'm sure you had your reasons. Jamaica is a hellhole these days due to the effects of drug prohibition, and it doesn't look like it's going to get better anytime soon. And playing in Europe or Israel should earn you enough money to get your family out of there and make a comfortable life for them somewhere else. Still, it seems a shame. You could have used another year in school to great advantage.

Good luck, Samardo. Cool runnings - peace be the journey.