Wizards 2008 Pre-Draft Workouts

[BBallWiz]

I guess we can use this thread to state who is coming in for a workout for the Wiz. The type of players who work out for the Wiz, will probably give us some indication on what the Wiz are looking for (or just a smoke-screen for a trade, you never know, lol). Remember, Nick Young was in for a Pre-Draft workout last season for the Wiz, so it'll be interesting to see if someone the Wiz workout again this year, will be picked with the 1st and/or 2nd round picks.

Here are the players who are coming in for a workout on Thursday:
Thursday's workout

I've been able to obtain a list of Thursday's workout guys. Right now it includes C.J. Giles, a center from Oregon State; Lester Hudson, a shooting guard from Tennessee-Martin; Darnell Jackson, a forward from Kansas; Jeremy Pargo, a guard from Gonzaga; Marreese Speights, a center from Florida and Jason Thompson, a forward from Rider.

I've seen Speights and Thompson projected as possible first round guys in some places but take that for what it is.

The team will host more prospects on Friday and throughout next week. In all, the team expects to see around 30 to 40 guys. The Wizards hold the 18th and 48th picks in the June 26th draft.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

[WizSkinsO's]

The craptacity of that list makes me wonder if we may be moving down or if I just don't know how these pre-draft workouts go.

[BBallWiz]

^ I mean it is only the 1st set of workouts. They'll have more and I bet the players they bring in will be better. But I guess they're keeping all options open, and if they do trade down, or are looking for a player who might fall in the 2nd round, they are just doing their "homework."

[BBallWiz]

Here is a link to see photos from today's workout:

http://www.nba.com/wizards/photogallery/day1workouts_080605_1.html

Click on this link below to see the Wizards Blog with 3 videos from today's workout:

http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/05/pre-draft-workouts-day-1-2/#comments

^ Nice throw-down jams by #34 Mareesse Speights there in the 2nd video. I also liked the 3rd video of them doing that jumping drill and then slamming it in at the end.

And here is the list of guys coming in for a workout on Friday and then on Monday:
Friday
Frank Elegar - Drexel
Jeff Ferguson - Wayne State
Stefhon Hannah - Missouri
Michael Lee- St. Bonaventure
Quan Prowell - Auburn
Jason Rich - Florida State

MONDAY
Mike Green - Butler
Othello Hunter- Ohio State
Tywon Lawson - UNC
James Mays - Clemson
Walter Sharpe - UAB
D.J. White - IU
http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/

Monday's workout should be interesting.

[BBallWiz]

Lawson workout

Ty Lawson's workout with the Wizards was cut short this morning when he tweaked his left ankle. Lawson, who is an early entry candidate out of North Carolina, is projected as a possible late first round pick.

The other players who worked out today were forward D.J. White (Indiana), guard Mike Green (Butler), foward Othella Hunter (Ohio State), forward James Mays (Clemson) and forward Walter Sharpe (UAB).

Lawson, who has already worked out for Cleveland and Indiana and plans on visiting Denver and either Sacramento or Portland, said he didn't think the injury was serious.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

And here is the list of guys working out tomorrow (should be a good one, with a few interesting names to keep an eye on imo):
Mario Chalmers - Kansas

Rodrigue Beaubois - France

Richard Hendrix - Alabama

Charles Rhodes - Miss. State

Chris Douglas Roberts - Memphis

Courtney Lee - Western Kentucky
http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/

^ Click on the link to see the videos from today's workout and to read some brief info on the guys who worked out today.

[The Burgundy and Gold]

tight, i'm interested to hear how things went today, some quality players in that group.

[BBallWiz]

Workouts continue

Today's workout featured a few intriguing prospects including guard Mario Chalmers, whose clutch three-pointer gave Kansas a win over Memphis in the National Championship game, guard-forward Chris Douglas-Roberts, who was on that Memphis team and a young, skinny but very talented international prospect by the name of Rodrigue Beaubois.

Beaubois, a point guards listed at 6-0, 170-pounds, is a member of the French U-19 National team and played the last two seasons for Cholet. His numbers are hardly eye popping - he averaged a modest 4.8 points on 48.5 percent in 18 games last season - but the kid's athleticism is off the charts and NBA teams are clearly intrigued.
He passed on playing in the Reebok Eurocamp because several teams including the Wizards, Blazers, Bulls, Celtics, Suns, Hornets and Spurs lined him up for workouts.

Beaubois, who was discovered by Golden State Warriors swingman Mickael Pietrus at an open basketball camp in Pietrus' native Guadeloupe, was an early entry candidate last year but wasn't drafted. His English isn't great - thought it's certainly better than my French - so I couldn't get a very clear answer when I asked him about his intentions but he does remain under contract in France and could be the kind of guy a team takes and sticks back over there for another year or two of seasoning.

As for Chalmers, the most impressive thing I could pick on him was how smoothly he shot the NBA 3-ball. Granted, he was only going "around the world" in a post-practice drill, but it was obvious that he didn't have to strain to get the ball up there like some college guys do when they have to step back a couple of extra feet. Chalmers has long arms, was an excellent defender and shooter at KU and obviously is a winner.

I didn't get a great look at Douglas-Roberts because we only saw a limited part of the workout but one guy who did stand out was Courtney Lee, a guard from Western Kentucky. At the end of the workout, the Wiz set them up in a drill where they had to run a 2-man break up the floor and Lee was really explosive in filling the lane. Listed at 6-5, 200-pounds, Lee averaged 20.4 points on 47.7 percent shooting for a sweet 16 team last season.

In the same drill by the way, Beaubois took off and jack-hammered a couple of one-handed dunks. Like I said, the kid is very athletic.

-Coach Eddie Jordan attended the workout today. His assistants have been at the others but this was the first time I saw Eddie. He said he's been spending a lot of time with his family.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

I like Chalmers. I wouldn't mind if the Wiz traded back a bit and draft him.

Click on the link below to see the 3 videos from today's workout:

http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/10/pre-draft-workouts-day-4/#comments

[The Burgundy and Gold]

what about my man Richard Hendrix?

[BBallWiz]

Wednesday's workout prospects

The draft prospects scheduled to attend tomorrow's workout at the VC: F Deron Washington (V Tech), G Sundiata Gaines (Georgia), F Taj McCullough (Winthrop), G Darris Nichols (West Virginia), G-F Robert Vaden (UAB).
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

[BBallWiz]

Thursday's workouts

Today, the Wizards worked out forward Deron Washington (Virginia Tech), guard Sundiata Gaines (Georgia), guard-forward Danny Green (North Carolina), forward Taj McCullough (Winthrop), guard Darris Nichols (West Virginia) and guard-forward Robert Vaden (Alabama-Birmingham).
Green, who is an early entry candidate who has not signed with an agent, says he is "50-50" on whether he's staying in or going back to Chapel Hill.

Tomorrow, the team is hosting three prospects: forwards Robert Dozier (Memphis), Josh Duncan (Xavier) and Luc Louves (France). None are projected as first round picks.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

Click on the link below to see the 2 videos from today's workout:

http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/11/pre-draft-workouts-day-5-2/#comments

[BBallWiz]

Slim pickings

The Wizards were originally sceduled to workout three players today: F Josh Duncan (Xavier), F Robert Dozier (Memphis) and F Luc Louves (France). Well, Louves and Dozier were on hand but Duncan wasn't and the team added some guys, none of whom figure to be drafted: F Bambale Osby (Maryland), G Gerald Brown (Loyola), F Brad Byerson (Virginia Union) and G Darnell Harris (LaSalle).

I've heard that the team is hoping to land workouts for some potential first-rounders like Donte Greene, the frosh F from Syracuse and Kosta Koufos, the center from Ohio State, but so far, those guys haven't visited.

Thus far, the Wizards have seen a handful of potential first rounders including PG Ty Lawson, C Marrese Speights, F Jason Thompson, G-F Chris Douglas-Roberts and G Mario Chalmers but getting a read on who is going to be there at 18 is difficult. I still wouldn't be shocked if Ernie Grunfeld found a way to move the pick.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

Click on the link below to see the 2 videos from today's workout:

http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/12/pre-draft-workouts-day-6/#comments

[BBallWiz]

Here are the players that are working out for the Wiz today:

Josh Duncan - Xavier
Sean Singletary - Virginia
Justin Hawkins - New Mexico State
Longar Longar - Oklahoma
Maureece Rice - George Washington
Davon Jefferson - USC
http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/

It'll be interesting to read (or possibly see some video) on Singletary's workout later.

[BBallWiz]

Singletary Shows Wizards His Professional Repertoire

By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, June 14, 2008; Page E05

Sean Singletary tested the NBA waters last summer when he made himself eligible for the draft after a strong junior season at Virginia, but ultimately he decided to return to Charlottesville.

One year later, Singletary knows there is no going back, and yesterday the 6-foot, 180-pound guard, who averaged 19.8 points and 6.1 assists as a senior, tried to show the Wizards what he can do during a workout at Verizon Center.

The Wizards, who hold the 18th and 47th picks in the June 26 draft, also hosted former George Washington guard Maureece Rice, forward Josh Duncan (Xavier), guard-forward Justin Hawkins (New Mexico State), forward Davon Jefferson (Southern California) and forward-center Longar Longar (Oklahoma).

Singletary, who is projected to be taken in the second round or go undrafted, has already worked out for several teams and plans on visiting at least nine more. Singletary was a consistent scorer at Virginia but has to show NBA teams he can run a team as a point guard while also defending some of the league's quickest players.

Throughout the process, Singletary has leaned on advice he received from former Virginia star and current Wizard Roger Mason Jr., who was a second-round pick in 2002 and just completed his best NBA season.

"He really just said take care of your body and every day you go out there, just play hard," Singletary said. "He talked about continuing to be tough because there's a lot of traveling and a lot of hard work but he said it will pay off in the long run."

On Thursday, the Wizards hosted forward Bambale Osby (Maryland), guard Gerald Brown (Loyola), forward Brad Byerson (Virginia Union), guard Darnell Harris (La Salle), forward Robert Dozier (Memphis) and forward Luc Louves (France).

Workouts will continue Monday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/13/AR2008061303049.html

Click on the link below to see the 2 videos from yesterday's workout:

http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/13/pre-draft-workouts-day-7/#respond

[BBallWiz]

Here's the list of guys working out for the Wiz today:

Folarin Campbell G George Mason
Devon Hardin F/C California
Martin Iti F/C New Mexico State
Sasha Kaun C Kansas
Chris Lofton G Tennessee
Peja Samardziski C Macedonia
http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/16/pre-draft-workouts-day-8/#comments

[BBallWiz]

Here is the list of guys who worked out today:
The Wizards will continue their pre-draft workouts today at Verizon Center. The Wizards will be bringing in the following six players.

Alexis Ajinca - France
Stanley Burrell - Xavier
J.J. Hickson - NC State
Walter Sharpe - UAB
Darian Townes - Arkansas
Jonathan Wallace - Georgetown

The Wizards may bring in players on Tuesday or this could be the last workouts before Draft Day on Tuesday.
http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/20/pre-draft-workouts-day-10/#comments

I mean, overall, I wish the Wizards worked a few more "better" players worthy of the 18th pick. This tells me that, imo, especially if this is the last of the workouts, that they seriously are leaning towards trading the pick (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), or they liked what they have seen with the players they worked out, or maybe EG is being secretive and planning on taking a guy who they didn't work out (maybe they will on Tuesday though) like Hibbert (who maybe they don't need to work out since they've seen a lot of him)? We'll see.

[Nighthawk]

I mean, overall, I wish the Wizards worked a few more "better" players worthy of the 18th pick. This tells me that, imo, especially if this is the last of the workouts, that they seriously are leaning towards trading the pick (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), or they liked what they have seen with the players they worked out, or maybe EG is being secretive and planning on taking a guy who they didn't work out (maybe they will on Tuesday though) like Hibbert (who maybe they don't need to work out since they've seen a lot of him)? We'll see.

Care to name some players you feel the Wizards should have brought in? "Better" players worthy of the 18th pick? You must have really high expectations at 18 if you think there were any players worthy of the pick they didn't bring in. The only player I didn't see on the lists was Hibbert and I doubt they need to see any more of him. Greene and Koufos were rumored to be coming and haven't. They might still bring them in.

Chalmers, Dougla-Roberts, Lawson (who went back to school), Hickson, Ajinca, Speights, Thompson are all players that are slated at or after the 18th pick. Anything else is a pipe dream unless we trade up and I doubt they plan on doing that.

Name some names...

[BBallWiz]

I mean I personally wished they would have worked out Brandon Rush (who I believe Phoenix might want to take at 15), Donte Greene as you mentioned, Darrell Arthur and Nicolas Batum.
Obviously, EG and his staff knows what they're doing. The above is just my opinion. Like I wouldn't mind if the Wiz drafted one of Speights, Chalmers, Hibbert, Rush or Arthur. That's my opinion. But I trust EG and his staff to get whoever they feel will help the Wiz or maybe they decide to go in the trade route.

[Nighthawk]

Just curious as to what you think the Wizards needs are? Personally, I think we need to draft either a Center or a PG as long as one is the BPA at 18. After that, I'd like to see us bring in another SG/SF. What are your thoughts?

I wasn't a big fan of Hibbert, but the word on the internet is that he's been killing them on his visits to teams and has shown why he was lottery pick just a year ago.

I just hope we take a chance on someone out there that isn't just a safe pick but that has some untapped upside.

Speaking of taking a chance, the guy I'd like us to take a chance on is Jason Thompson, PF out of Rider. I know he's technically a PF but I think he could play center for us at 6-10. He's the kind of guy that will do the little things that we sometimes lack.

[BBallWiz]

^ I agree with the PG, C (or just a big bruising PF/C) and SF as needs. In regards to the SF position, I wouldn't mind seeing the Wiz acquire a more veteran backup SF for Caron (ideally I want Posey in FA, but doubt that will happen with the money and the Wiz having to go into the luxury tax). I mean, I wouldn't mind a safe pick somewhat in the Draft. I don't want another project like Pesh or Andray (who I feel is getting there and has a lot of potential, I just think he needs to show more consistency). I kind of want to win now, and get players who can help sooner rather than later (rookies included).

Those 3 needs I feel don't necessarily need to be addressed in the Draft however. If the Wiz want to get a young PG, I like Kyle Lowry. I read that Memphis and Denver were discussing a deal that looks like Lowry + #28 for Denver's #20 and maybe Kleiza, so I wouldn't mind seeing a Pesh + #18 for Lowry + #28. Then at #28, draft the BPA (preferably a big, maybe Joey Dorsey, but that could be a little of a reach). As for a backup SF, maybe in FA the Wiz could target Matt Barnes or Kelenna Azubuike cheaply? It definitely will be an interesting Summer.

[BBallWiz]

Here are the 3 guys who worked out today:

Donte Greene - Syracuse
Will Daniels - Rhode Island
Will Thomas - George Mason

Click on the link below to see the 2 videos from today's workout:

http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/06/24/ernie-grunfeld-press-conference/#comments

Here are some quotes and brief facts on the 3 guys who worked out today:

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/predraftworkouts_080624.html