"They'll be sorry," Ellington said, smiling.
What a crazy, draining night.
Ellington's family, based for the past 3 years in Cary, N.C., hosted a private party for about 50 family members and friends at Vino, a restaurant-lounge on 2nd Street, a block south of Girard Avenue, in Northern Liberties.
The mood was festive early. Though Wayne and his closest family members were at first holed up in a private room, separated from the rest of the place by a curtain and watching a big-screen TV. Wayne remained inside only for pick No. 1. He then emerged to meet and greet and pose for enough pictures to almost be blinded by the numerous flashes.
Later, back in the room it was. Not that he was very relaxed. He hopped from a chair to a loveseat to a sofa and ultimatety wound up sitting next to his girlfriend, Amanda Altschuler.
He watched with a grin as former Episcopal classmate Gerald Henderson (Duke) was plucked at No. 12 by Charlotte. And again immediately thereafter at No. 13, when fellow UNC star Tyler Hansbrough went to Indiana.
After pick No. 14, the tension and sauna-like conditions inside the room became too much. Ellington walked to the back and stood at the top of a small set of stairs, looking back over his shoulder.
Before No. 16, Ellington's father, Wayne Sr., said aloud, "It's just about time."
Nothing.
Before No. 17, owned by the Sixers, he exchanged thoughts with a TV cameraman and could be heard saying, "It would make sense. We'll see."
Earlier in the evening, Dad said the whole family was hoping the Sixers would be Wayne Jr.'s new home.
"That's every player's dream, isn't it?" he said. "You go away for college, then get the chance to come home as a pro. Northing better."
As commissioner David Stern prepared to announce the name, Dad roared at the TV, "C'mon, let's do this!"
Nothing.
