Chicago ? Jay Williams watched the Bulls draft another point guard Thursday from his room at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, and the message from the Williams camp was relayed Friday by his mother, Althea.

It seems Williams’ Duke roots were tweaked by the decision to use the No. 7 pick on Kirk Hinrich, from rival Kansas University.

And the result was better than anything operations chief John Paxson could have imagined.

“I called his room and got his mom” Paxson told the Chicago Sun Times. “She said it was great motivation for Jay, because he and Kirk had some battles when they were with Duke and Kansas.

“She said that’s motivating him even more to get back. That’s a good thing.”

Paxson probably would not have drafted Hinrich had Williams, 21, not crashed his motorcycle June 19, suffering serious injuries that could end his career. But Paxson said the decision was not based on an assumption Williams’ career is over. The Bulls only concede Williams will miss next season, though many in the organization fear the worst.

But before the question of basketball is addressed, Williams needs to start walking again. And if his motivation to regain his point guard position helps in his rehabilitation to walk, then Hinrich already is paying dividends.

Paxson is certain of one thing, and that is Althea Williams is the perfect coach for Jay Williams’ current challenge.

“She is unbelievable,” Paxson said. “She’s been terrific through this whole thing. And as far as picking Kirk, she understood the business end of it.”

For the moment, Williams needs to get back on his feet, and having Hinrich on the team could help.

Williams’ other teammates also plan to help with motivation, but they’re being cautious as to when and how often to visit.

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No regrets: A day after watching 54 other players get drafted ahead of him, Rick Rickert said he still has no regrets about leaving the University of Minnesota two years early to pursue his NBA dream.

“Of course I’m upset with where I was drafted, but I don’t regret what I did,” said Rickert, drafted by the Timberwolves with the No. 55 pick overall.

After falling out of the first round — and losing the guaranteed three-year contract those picks get — Rickert must fight for a job and a contract.

“I’m in the situation where I have to work that much harder to ensure I make the roster,” he said.

Rickert would have been the featured player for the Gophers next season. Now he faces the prospect of sitting on the end of the Wolves’ bench, playing overseas or perhaps playing in the NBA’s developmental league.

A skilled perimeter shooter for a big man, the 6-foot-10 forward lacks the quickness necessary to guard NBA small forwards. And at 225 pounds, he’s not strong enough to defend the league’s power forwards.

“(He) made a stupid mistake dropping out of school. He’ll be lucky to make this team. He’s a good shooter, but what else?” ESPN.com’s Chad Ford wrote.