CLEMSON — James Mays will wait patiently tonight with hopes of a big payoff by night’s end.

The former Clemson standout is nervously awaiting the NBA draft, which begins at 7 p.m. today on ESPN, as his professional hopes ride in the balance.

Most fans’ attention will focus on whether the Chicago Bulls take point guard Derrick Rose or forward Michael Beasley with the top overall pick, but Mays hopes to slide into the second round of the 60-pick draft.

“It’s nerve-wracking,” Mays said Wednesday. “I put in the hard work and it’s time to see if it pays off. It’s like a childhood dream, and now I have to wait. I’m a little nervous.”

Opinions vary on whether his dream will be fulfilled. ESPN ranks Mays as the No. 75 overall prospect, but DraftExpress.com pegs him as the 58th overall selection, a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mays has worked out for a number of teams, including the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets and Charlotte Bobcats.

After originally declaring for the draft following his junior season, Mays returned to Clemson hoping to enhance his draft prospects and lead the Tigers to an NCAA Tournament berth.

Clemson cracked the NCAA barrier, making its first tournament appearance in a decade before falling to Villanova. But a number of injuries — a broken hand, bruised hip and back spasms — left his overall numbers down across the board; he averaged 10.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game after averaging 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks as a junior.

Mays said his injuries haven’t been a huge concern with scouts, however.

“Teams have been following me since my junior year when I decided to enter the draft,” he said. “It was misfortune that I was injured but in the pre-draft camp my body was ready and it helped me showcase my talent.

“I was in good condition and had rehabbed my hip and lower back for the workouts.”

Working out for professional scouts also has helped Mays display a side of his game that didn’t really fit in Oliver Purnell’s system — and plenty that did.

“(I showed) everything I was doing at Clemson, using energy, playing defense, playing on the perimeter and hustling in the post, going to get the ball on rebounds,” he said. “They like my motor but they were surprised at the moves I made, moves you wouldn’t see at Clemson because we ran so much press and didn’t play half-court defense as much.”

Tonight, Mays will take a “low-key” approach to the draft, watching it with his mother, father, sister and immediate family with hopes the second round will slide his way.

If not, though, he’s nowhere near ready to give up on his dream.

“I’m definitely not going to stop trying to get into the NBA,” he said. “There are a lot of ways to get in the NBA like as a free agent, and I’ll get on that way if possible. If it happens to be overseas, I’ll think about that when the time comes.”