By Rin Mitchell

The Seattle Medium There was a time when all Seattle was known for is its’ green trees, Mount Rainier and of course the frequent, infamous rainfall. A city that rarely gets mentioned and is constantly overlooked because it doesn’t have the big attractions: the Hollywood stars or sports teams that capture consecutive championships, factors that lure the crowds and gain the attention that cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, D.C., Detroit, and New York City have mastered three-fold. Well, some things have got to change and this year marks a new beginning for Seattle. Three of Seattle’s very own were drafted to the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft. Nate Robinson, who was picked number 21 by the Phoenix Suns and in turn, traded to the New York Knicks; Martell Webster, a high school draft pick, who was the 6th pick to the Portland Trailblazers and Marvin Williams, who was a key player for the 2005 NCAA Champions North Carolina, was picked 2nd by the Atlanta Hawks. Yes, these three men officially put Seattle on the map. Now they aren’t the only talented athletes to come from this great city, but they were the only ones to be drafted into a professional sport at the same time. It’s history for Seattle, making the rainy city also the official hot spot for athletic talent. Seattle has more of its own out there representing the NBA. Much of this can be attributed to the athletes that have gone before Robinson, Williams, and Webster and paved the way. All-Stars like Doug Christie (Sacramento Kings), Jason Terry (Dallas Mavericks) and Jamal Crawford (New York Knicks). Let’s not forget about Corey Dillon (New England Patriots), who is our representative in the National Football League (NFL) and Sheila Lambert (Houston Comets), who plays for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). All prime examples of where hard work and true dedication can take anyone, regardless of where you come from. With the discovery of all the talent that has always been here, in the future we can expect this to be one of the first places the scouts come looking for athletes in all sports. There is no limit to where Seattle’s finest can go in this world. This is only the beginning of what our city has to offer. Now that we have gained our much needed attention this way, it will be nice to see our local rappers, singers, dancers, actors/actresses get their recognition. Don’t worry, that day is coming real soon. Until then, we will continue to enjoy our newly “well-known” city of Seattle and support those that helped make it all possible. Congratulations to our 2005 draft picks.