Draft status on line for UA seniors

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior forward Bennett Davison (21) goes up for a rebound against a UCLA player in March. Davison is in Tempe participating in the Desert Classic this weekend.

The fortunes of two Arizona seniors, though, partly rest on their performance this weekend.

Michael Dickerson and Bennett Davison are participating in the Nike Desert Classic at Arizona State's University Activity Center over the next three days in games for a plethora of NBA scouts and officials.

First-team All-American Miles Simon chose not to attend the event, which is one of the biggest pre-draft camps for the nation's top seniors. Former Arizona All-American Damon Stoudamire also skipped out on the Desert Classic.

The seniors are divided up into four teams and coached by former NBA coaches and players. Davison is playing on the Pacific team for NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar while Dickerson is on the East team under former 76ers coach John Lucas.

Dickerson was a third-team All-American this season and, with a strong showing this weekend, could play himself into a first-round draft selection. Scouts like his explosive scoring ability and his quickness.

Davison is the one with the most to gain - or lose - this weekend. Scouts love his superior athletic ability and his defense, but Davison was never considered an offensive threat in his two years at Arizona. He will have to display his jump shot to get a look. If he does well, he could earn a second-round spot.

The NBA will also conduct a pre-draft camp in Chicago in the coming weeks, while the draft is scheduled for June 24 in Vancouver.