Adam Zagoria: 7-footer Thon Maker worked out today for the @Memphis Grizzlies
More on Draft Workouts
Marko Arapovic: Just finished my first @NBA workout for the @HoustonRockets! Great experience. #iskustvo
On Monday, the Celtics brought in 12 more players for pre-draft workouts, six apiece in two sessions. The workouts featured two from Kansas (Perry Ellis, Hunter Mickelson) and two from Brad Stevens’ old employer – Butler (Kellen Dunham, Roosevelt Jones).
The Celtics also worked out two players from France (Isaia Cordinier, Guerschon Yabuele) and one from Spain (Jordan Sakho). “We really enjoy it. Get to know their level of English and get them outside of their systems a little bit, compare them against some of the college guys. I think it’s very valuable.”
What are they looking for from the European kids? “Really, the same stuff as the college guys. We look for just how they’ll fit with the Celtics and get to know their personalities a little bit,” Austin Ainge said. “Obviously, most of the things we judge them on we see in the games but this is a just a nice little piece. It is hard for young guys to earn minutes on professional teams sometimes. Sometimes we have a limited number of minutes we’ve seen them. This is always good to have them here.
Paul Coro: California swingman Jaylen Brown will work out alone for the Suns today. He is the highest-rated draft prospect to visit Phoenix thus far.
Adam Zagoria: Jermaine Lawrence's workout with the Warriors has been pushed to June 11 from today, source tells @SNYtv
Born in Sudan and raised in Australia, Maker has been known to NBA scouts for quite a while but seen rarely. And not at all as a college player. Thus the common reference to him as the “mystery man.” “I don’t know why they gave me that name, but I hear it a lot through interviews,” Maker said Friday after working out for the Pistons. “I tend not to read all that.”
Josh Lewenberg: Raptors will have Gonzaga F/C Domantas Sabonis (son of Arvydas and Lithuanian National Team teammate of Valanciunas) in for a workout Monday
Adam Zagoria: Former Iona G A.J. English works out this coming week for the Bulls, Magic and Raptors.
David 'Dubi' Pick: Source: Twolves like Dragan Bender with No. 5 pick. Scouts Calvin Booth and Zarko Durisic seen him here in workouts.
Alex Kennedy: Spurs GM R.C. Buford, Pelicans GM Dell Demps, Nuggets GM Tim Connelly and many other execs at Relativity Pro Day. Draft eligible: Skal Labissiere, Juan Hernangomez, Elgin Cook, Shaq Goodwin, Kyle Collinsworth, Jaleel Cousins, Ilja Gromovs, Jamari Traylor, Torrance Rowe, Anthony Odunsi. Free Agents: Jarnell Stokes, Alex Stephenson, Bernard James, Dwight Buycks, Adonis Thomas, Ognjen Kuzmic, Chris Walker, Arnett Moultrie, Boubacar Moungoro, Ronald Reis, Antonio Barton.
Ian Begley: Isaiah Whitehead has several fans in the Knicks organization, including star forward Carmelo Anthony. Whitehead has worked out with Anthony at the Knicks star's Terminal 23 gym in Manhattan. Anthony came away from the workouts impressed with the Seton Hall guard, according to people in the gym. Whitehead also worked out for the Knicks on Saturday at their training facility in Tarrytown. At 6-5, Whitehead has the kind of size that Phil Jackson coveted in his backcourt during his coaching days with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Oftentimes, the Knicks have to consider how a potential prospect will handle life in New York. That doesn't seem like it would be an issue for Whitehead. The 21-year-old thrived at Coney Island's Lincoln High School, winning a city championship at Madison Square Garden; he also was named MVP of the 2016 Big East Tournament at MSG, helping Seton Hall stun eventual national champion Villanova in the title game. By all accounts, Whitehead is well-mannered and well-liked by teammates. The Knicks, who plan to acquire a draft pick, may have to trade to a spot in the late first round to land Whitehead.
Adam Zagoria: Former St. Joe's star DeAndre' Bembry worked today for Golden State after Clippers this week.
Adam Zagoria: Former Iona G A.J. English works out this coming week for the Bulls, Magic and Raptors.
Relativity Sports is holding a Pro Day on Sunday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., a workout that will include likely lottery pick Skal Labissiere of Kentucky, Elgin Cook of Oregon, and Spanish standout Juan Hernangomez. The academy will also hold a workout session for NBA free agents looking for nonguaranteed deals or summer league invitations .
Utah will host another pre-draft workout Sunday, including Utah State guard Chris Smith, Wichita State guard Ron Baker, USC forward Nikola Jovanovic, Wake Forest guard Codi Miller-McIntyre, Spain center Jordan Sakho and California guard Tyrone Wallace.
Alex Kennedy: In addition to working out for the Bucks and Suns, Kansas' Perry Ellis worked out for the Spurs today. He'll work out for the Hawks soon.
Kyle Wiltjer had good things to say about Saturday’s workout and the group of NBA hopefuls who joined him in Utah for this audition with the Jazz. The former All-West Coast Conference first-teamer tried to show the Jazz that he can play tough and be aggressive, that he can fight through adversity in a draining tryout and that he can provide coveted stretch-the-floor shooting like he did for the Zags. “I think,” he said, “I can help a team out by doing that.”
Kevin Ding: Brandon Ingram (@Brandon Ingram) scheduled for private workout with Lakers on Thursday, according to league sources.
“He’s a high energy kid, who plays with a lot of passion and a lot of emotion,” said Marc Eversley, the Philadelphia 76ers vice president of player personnel, who brought Cordinier in for a workout this past week. “[He] can make shots, and he’s a high twitch guy,” Eversley continued, referring to Cordinier’s quick reflexes and reaction time. Eversley also referred to Cordinier as a strong leaper capable of making plays at the rim.
Darren Wolfson: Utah big man Jakob Poeltl currently scheduled for a #Twolves visit + workout June 17, I hear. Layden/Thibs due-dilegence continues.
On Saturday, the Sixers were one of 20 teams that sent a representative to the Elite Skills Training pro day held at Chaminade-Madonna prep school north of Miami. Vince Rozman, Sixers director of basketball operations/scouting innovation, was in attendance. The Sixers hold the first, 24th and 26 picks in the first round of this year's draft. The event, organized by trainer Tony Falce, included 35 players. Among those were Baylor forward Taurean Prince and LSU guard Tim Quarterman, both of whom have already worked out for the Sixers.
Alex Kennedy: Kansas' Perry Ellis worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, and participated in a Chicago pro day. Many more workouts soon.
Alex Kennedy: UNC's Brice Johnson is working out for the Phoenix Suns on June 8. Then, he'll be working out for the Denver Nuggets on June 9.
John Gambadoro: Hearing Providence point guard Kris Dunn wants to go to Minnesota, will not work out for Phoenix or share medical records.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Marquette forward Henry Ellenson has a workout with the Lakers on Saturday, league sources say.
Adam Zagoria: Phil Jackson and Jeff Hornacek ran the #Knicks workout today for former Iona G A.J. English, source tells @SNYtv. pic.twitter.com/AEFzTX0o76
It's no secret the Indiana Pacers are still searching for a solution at point guard. On Thursday, the team continued its pre-draft workouts with two intriguing point guard options at Bankers Life Fieldhouse: Oregon State's Gary Payton II and North Carolina's Marcus Paige. When the Pacers enter the draft June 23, they will have just one true point guard on their roster: Joe Young, a second-round pick who just finished his rookie season. Ty Lawson, who the team signed in March, is an unrestricted free agent. For most of the season, the Pacers used Monta Ellis and George Hill to initiate the offense, although both aren't known as pass-first players.
For Payton, Thursday’s workout in some ways felt like a small homecoming. When Payton was growing up in Seattle, his father was teammates with Pacers coach Nate McMillan on the SuperSonics. For eight years, the elder Payton and McMillan played together in the Seattle backcourt. Before and after games the younger Payton would shoot on the court inside KeyArena.
Payton was hoping to have McMillan watch him during Thursday’s workout, but McMillan missed it because of a prior engagement. That did not stop Payton of thinking about the possibility of McMillan being his first coach in the NBA if the Pacers select him.
The 76ers liked what they saw Thursday from former Imhotep Charter standout Brandon Austin in his pre-draft workout at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The 6-foot-7 point guard was by far the best shooter in the portion of the workout that was visible to media. He also had a nice feed to Isaia Cordinier on a fast break.
Chriss has caught the fancy of NBA scouts and executives who have marveled at his leaping ability and potential to develop a perimeter shot. “A guy that I think may be the best athlete in the entire draft is going to be in that range,” former St. John’s coach and ESPN draft analyst Fran Fraschilla said. “That’s Marquese Chriss from University of Washington, a freak-ish athlete, young, one of the youngest players in the draft, and improving skill level.”
Cal freshman Jaylen Brown worked out for the Celtics this week, but according to a source at the workout, it was Danuel House who stole the show, matching up nicely against Brown and showing he has the potential to be a steal as a 3-and-D wing in the second round.
Orazio Cauchi: Adam Pechacek will have a workout with the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow, per source.
Scott Agness: Pacers pre-draft workout No. 5 with Gary Payton II, Robert Carter Jr, and more. https://t.co/fnZ8oX64O5
Brett Dawson: Jaylen Brown will be in New Orleans tomorrow to meet with the Pelicans. Jamal Murray was in earlier this week.
Maker said he has used workouts to prove to executives and coaches that he is talented enough for the NBA. “I’ve played against most of these guys already when they were in high school,” he said. “Sure enough in college they developed a lot more in terms of physically getting stronger. But I’ve held my own. They’ve watched me and they see that – and I see that – not much has changed since they were in high school.”
But in order to reach his potential in the NBA, Maker said, he understands that he will have to get stronger and add weight to his 216-pound body. “I’ve gotten better, I’ve matured and physically I’ve gotten stronger,” he said. “Over the years I’ve gradually put on weight and gradually gotten stronger. I’ve always done it the right way and I’ve always put on the right amount of weight so that it’s not too much because I have to be able to hold on to that weight. We’re taking our time.”
Keith Pompey: Former #Syracuse G Malachi Richardson will workout for the #AtlantaHawks Thursday. He's on the #Sixers radar ... https://t.co/6EDhYENCD1
Ian Begley: The Knicks will workout Iona guard AJ English on Thursday, league sources confirm.
Ian Begley: Also, a Knicks executive was among six other teams to watch UConn's Sterling Gibbs and Eastern Kentucky's Jarrelle Reischel earlier this week, sources confirm. SNY.tv earlier reported the Gibbs/Reischel workouts and Thursday's workout with English.
Adam Zagoria: Former Iona G A.J. English and former Stony Brook F Jameel Warney work out today for the @WashWizards
The 7-foot-1 Croatian, as athletic as he is tall, impressed with great shooting form, 3-point range, world-class length and a sharp instinct to pass. He’s skinny — a bony 223 pounds — but so is Kristaps Porzingis, the improbably successful Knicks rookie who has Danny Ainge wondering if the European talent pool can produce legitimate high draft talent for the second year in a row. The Celtics president and his son, director of player personnel Austin Ainge, watched Bender in two practices with Maccabi Tel Aviv last weekend. Bender told them he will fly to Boston for a workout once Maccabi’s playoff season ends, at the latest, on June 9.
Darren Wolfson: Hear Kentucky big Skal Labissiere will workout for the #Twolves on June 14. Henry Ellenson due in this week. @ Jon Krawczynski first on Henry.
Adam Zagoria: Former Kansas big man Cheick Diallo impressed in San Antonio workout against Stephen Zimmerman & Damian Jones, source says. Has Phoenix Thurs.
The Pacers will hold their fourth pre-draft workout on Wednesday, June 1 in preparation for the 2016 NBA Draft. The six players scheduled to participate in workouts are Jake Layman (Maryland), Thon Maker (Athlete Institute Basketball Academy High School), Retin Obasohan (Alabama), Shavon Shields (Nebraska), Fred VanVleet (Wichita State), and Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV).
The predraft workouts for the Wizards, who don't have a pick June 23, begin Wednesday with five players scheduled to participate, including one they've already interviewed and two with local ties. A.J. English (Iona), Nick Faust (Maryland/Long Beach State), Jalen Reynolds (Xavier), Jameel Warney (Stonybrook) and Kevin Larsen (George Washington) constitute the first wave at Verizon Center, CSNmidatlantic.com has confirmed.
Adam Zagoria: Former Manhattan F Jermaine Lawrence works out for Golden State on June 6 & Shane Richards works out for the Nets Wednesday. @Josh Newman
Vincent Ellis: Among players in today for #Pistons draft workouts: N.C.State F Tyler Harris, brother of Tobias Harris.
David Mayo: #Pistons 1st draft workouts: Derrick Jones, Marcus Paige, Tyler Harris, Thomas Walkup, Ron Baker, Yogi Ferrell.
Adam Zagoria: Former OU PG Isaiah Cousins works out today for Toronto.
Alex Kennedy: Former Seton Hall guard Isaiah Whitehead will work out with the Indiana Pacers on June 2 and the New York Knicks on June 4.
Michael Scotto: Cleveland Cavaliers brought in Ron Baker, Yogi Ferrell, Derrick Jones and Kyle Wiltjer among others today for a workout, per league sources.
Darren Wolfson: #Twolves GM Scott Layden made it to Cal's campus today to see Jaylen Brown. But no Thibs. Word is Brown was very impressive.
Marc J. Spears: Cal's Jaylen Brown scheduled group workout w/MIN, MIL, TOR, maybe LAL Saturday, source says. Expected to workout at BOS, NO, & PHX next week
Gerald Bourguet: Today’s #Suns draft workouts: Wade Baldwin IV, DeAndre’ Bembry, Malcolm Brogdon, Isaiah Cousins, Dorian Finney-Smith and James Webb III
David 'Dubi' Pick: Source: Boston's Danny Ainge, Austin Ainge headed to Israel to watch Dragan Bender work.
Adam Zagoria: 7-footer Thon Maker works out today for Atlanta. Was at Utah on Wednesday. Projected No. 40 on @Jonathan Givony but could well go higher.
What do you want the Nuggets organization or the fans to know about you? Ben Bentil: I’m a competitor. I’m a person who competes no matter what the ups and downs are. Who would you compare your game to in the NBA? Ben Bentil: I model my game after Wilson Chandler, Draymond Green, Paul Millsap and Kevin Garnett.
Andy Larsen: Was really impressed talking with Thon Maker today at Jazz workout. "The player [the mixtape makers] envision is not the player I envision. The mixtape guy just shows lots of dunks and crossovers and fancy one hand passes. The other me I envision is more steady, controls the pace, gets teammates going, and is fundamentally sound, both offensively and defensively."
Adam Zagoria: 7-footer Thon Maker works out for Utah today and then Atlanta on Friday, source tells @SNYtv. Also has Detroit & Indiana w/in the next week.
A team first calls a player’s agent to set up a visit. Agents will determine when a player will visit and often what other players will compete against him. It is not uncommon for an agent to give teams a list of players with whom his client would like to work out. In the case of Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, each player will make team visits but will likely not compete in a three-on-three setting.
Teams will have agents on speed dial when it comes to finalizing the draft workout. Starting in early May and leading up to the day of the draft, teams will operate on seven-day workweeks based on the availability of prospects. The first piece of the puzzle is getting a prospect to commit. The second piece is filling out the workout with prospects within the same skill level. Because players have been scouted heavily in five-on-five settings, the goal for the team is to get a player in their gym to get to know him better
Teams that put a lot of stock into the draft workout are often the ones that miss out on top prospects in the draft. It’s just not as important as the other parts of the evaluation process. The workout is more for the benefit of the coaching staff. Players will go through a one-hour, practice-like setting that will combine agility, shell drills, shooting and three-on-three. The true test of the prospect is not how skilled they are; it's their conditioning. Unlike a practice setting where there are 15 players, the draft workout is built on repetition with less rest.
