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Tony DiLeo Talks NBA Draft

Tony DiLeo has been with the Sixers for 12 seasons and has spent the past three as Director of Player Personnel. He works along side GM Billy King with player procurement through his evaluation of amateur and professional talent, while supervising the team's scouting department. He spends countless hours on the road scouting and is relied heavily upon draft day.

Sixers.com had the opportunity to sit down with DiLeo to discuss the upcoming NBA Draft.

  • The Draft Process

    Sixers.com: With the 16th overall selection in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft, what are the Sixers looking for?
    I think we are going to look at the best, most talented player in the draft, not necessarily going by position or body-type. Usually when you draft a player, it will take two or three years before he is ready to play, like we have seen in the past and have now with our guys from last year, Sam (Dalembert), Alvin (Jones) and Damone (Brown).

    To fit into Coach Brown’s philosophy, they have to be athletic, strong and tough. Defense is another important element for the Sixers. Evaluating guys on defense is difficult because defense isn’t emphasized a lot in the college game. You have to look at their potential to play defense, their physical skills and toughness to match-up with other NBA players. We think we can teach them to play defense if they have the elements needed.

    Sixers.com: What impact will international players have in this year’s draft?
    In this year’s draft I think there will be four or five international players selected in the first round. I can’t really talk specifics, but there will be an increased international presence this year. You can see a steady increase of overseas talent making a name in the NBA today, and I see it continuing to grow.

    Sixers.com: What is the strength of this year’s draft class?
    This year is very similar to last year’s draft. There are not many star players, but it will be a long draft, there will be a lot of good players going into the second round who could contribute to a team down the road. In this draft, there are few players that are going to step on the floor immediately and make an impact. As the draft gets younger and younger each year, you have to draft more on potential rather than skill.

    Sixers.com: What is your feeling on the early-entry players in the draft?
    Every NBA team would love to see players go to college for at least two years. It is easier to get a track record on them and see how they adapt to college basketball situations. With the high school kids, you only see them dominate the high school-level competition, and they normally don’t get tested to the extent that a player may in the NCAA Tournament. Experiences like the postseason tournaments are valuable for any player. That intensity can’t be matched anywhere in the high school game.

    Sixers.com: Do you see any changes down the road to prevent players from entering the NBA Draft early?
    I would be in favor of any rule proposed by the NBA and Commissioner Stern that would have a minimum age requirement. The college experience that the player is missing is an important part of a kids’ life and their development as a player. Usually, the high school player is not physically and mentally ready to make the giant leap from high school to the NBA.