Everyone who pays attention to the NBA a little bit knows the top picks in the Draft.  Anthony Davis went #1 overall to the New Orleans Hornets, trademarked unibrow and all.  The stories people hear less of are the guys drafted later in the first round and almost anyone drafted in the second round.

One of the best stories from last nights NBA Draft was the 33rd pick of the Dallas Mavericks (from Cleveland) Bernard James.   The 27-year-old from Florida State University is a versatile 6’10″ forward/center.  But the interesting part of his story is why a 27-year-old is just now entering the NBA.

When most of the players drafted last night are 19-22 years-old, James was doing something completely different at that age.  James was in Iraq serving in the United States Air Force.  He ended us serving three tours for his country before coming back to finish college and play for the Seminoles.

The feel good story of the draft happened when his name was called at #33 the crowd took up the chant “U-S-A, U-S-A” as he ascended the stage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miOtI9eRn-E