When the NBA draft begins tonight at 7 at New York's Madison Square Garden, Michael Sweetney will be sitting in the Green Room, the invitation-only, backstage pad for players expected to go early in the first round.

"It's going to be a nervous situation not knowing when your name's going to be called," Sweetney said. "Once my name is called, I'll be relieved, and this'll be the greatest moment of my life so far."

Sweetney, the former Oxon Hill High and Georgetown star, averaged 22.8 points and 10.8 rebounds as a junior for the Hoyas. NBA teams have praised the power forward's offensive skills, leading many to project that he will be one of the first dozen players drafted tonight.

"You can bet that if he's around, we'll pick him," said Tony Barone, assistant coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, who own the 13th pick. "We like him a lot. But I guarantee you, he's going to be gone by then."