But the former Crimson Tide star believes that he will be selected in the first round of the NBA draft Tuesday night and if not, that he'll definitely make a team.
``I'm very confident. I think I'll be selected in the first round,'' Winston said Monday. ``I think I did my part, all I can do to solidify myself in that spot.''
UAB guard Donell Taylor also could be picked in the draft and is projected as a late second-round pick or free agent, but Winston is the state's surest bet this season.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard feels like he has answered any questions about his defensive skills while working out for 10 NBA teams in recent weeks. He's projected everywhere from a late first-round pick to the middle of the second round in mock drafts.
Winston isn't sweating it too much.
``The only thing that scares me (Tuesday) is I could slip to the second round, but that would be fine,'' said Winston, who will watch the draft with family and friends at a sports bar in his hometown of Mobile. ``If that was to happen, I could deal with it.
``If I did slip, I'm sure I'd make the team.''
Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said he's gotten positive feedback from a number of NBA teams on Winston's status.
``I think he's had good workouts with teams,'' Gottfried said. ``I have followed up, after he's had workouts with teams, and talked to their personnel, and, again, they've been positive about him.
``There are always some surprises on draft day, but we're looking forward to a good day for Kennedy.''
Winston's scoring ability has never been an issue. He was the Crimson Tide's leading scorer last season and a first-team all-Southeastern Conference selection. The former Alabama Mr. Basketball finished his abbreviated Tide career ranked 20th in career scoring with 1,325 points, averaging 17.9 last season.
``They all knew I could score,'' Winston said, referring to NBA teams. ``What really impressed them is my defense.
``I think there was kind of a stigma that I couldn't play defense or wouldn't play defense. I really showed everyone at the workouts that I could play defense and they were impressed with that.''
Taylor, meanwhile, is hoping to become the first UAB player drafted since Reginald Turner was picked in the second round in 1989. He has worked out for at least a dozen NBA teams over the last three weeks, including a repeat workout for Houston.
Taylor said he's heard he might go as high as the end of the first round, but he just wants to be picked.
``It doesn't matter, as long as my name gets called,'' he said. ``I'm lucky to be in a position to be drafted, but it will be a real thrill to hear my name called.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/6/131092