Orlando is reportedly open to packaging the 15th overall pick and Aaron Gordon to move up in the NBA draft.
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Ahead of the NBA draft, the Orlando Magic are trying to move up into the lottery and are reportedly willing to package the 15th overall pick and forward Aaron Gordon to facilitate a trade, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
The Magic have previously been rumored into wanting to trade up into the mid-lottery range but the team has been unsuccessful so far. Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said this week they have fielded calls from other teams regarding Gordon.
“I can tell you that there literally has not been a guy that we haven’t had a conversation about,” Weltman said. “Teams like our roster and Aaron gets a lot of calls because he’s a talented young player and he’s a high-character person, and he’s a hard-to-find guy in this NBA where he can guard the perimeter and interior guys. There have been a lot of calls on him. But as I always say, there’s just an amazing amount of misinformation that circulates and is unfounded.”
Teams ahead of the Magic in the draft have been said to be interested in trading down so Orlando seemingly has quite a few potential partners to work with. Of course, things could become more serious as the draft approaches and the action heats up.
Orlando has often targeted long, athletic players that can defend at a high level and that will likely once again be the approach when the team is on the clock on Wednesday, either at No. 15 or higher.
The projected first-round pick wants to bring a strong work ethic on and off of the court to whichever organization selects him.
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Projected first-round pick Tyrell Terry, like most prospects, doesn’t know which team will call his name in the NBA draft on Wednesday but the former Stanford guard will be looking to come in and earn the trust of his new teammates right away.
Terry said Tuesday on a conference call with reporters that he has worked out with the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies while he met virtually with several others, including the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers among others.
Whether it is one of the teams he has spoken with, or a different team, Terry wants to bring a strong work ethic on and off of the court to whichever organization selects him.
“I think right away I will be able to bring a high-level of unselfishness whether I come in and I am able to contribute right away or whether I come off of the bench, something I’m willing to do,” Terry said. “I think that’s the biggest thing I can do coming in right away and also [bring] a level of work ethic. I want to be the first one in the gym and the last one out. As a rookie to get gain the respect from these veterans, I think that’s something I can contribute to a roster right away coming in.”
Terry has had a productive pre-draft process, both on and off the court. He has interviewed very well with teams and has demonstrated a high-level IQ. He even “broke a record” for his testing during meetings administered by multiple teams.
The 20-year-old has spent much of the pre-draft process training in Indianapolis and said he has worked the most on his physique and step-back shooting. He has reportedly added roughly 15 pounds of muscle while he also grew an inch during testing at the combine.
Terry has done a good job of preparing for the next level and appears to have the right attitude heading into the NBA draft. Combine that with his skill set on the court and he appears to be a strong fit with just about any team in the league.
New Orleans picked up an additional first-round draft pick after trading Jrue Holiday to the Bucks.
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Among the flurry of moves made Monday night into Tuesday morning, the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly acquired Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Pelicans will acquire three future first-round picks in the deal, which also includes two pick swaps. According to David Aldridge of The Athletic, one of the first-round picks the Pelicans will acquire is the 24th overall selection in the NBA draft on Wednesday.
New Orleans will enter the draft now with four total picks — Nos. 13, 24, 39 and 42 — following the trade. Since trading Anthony Davis last year, the organization has stocked up on draft picks after acquiring three first-rounders and other pick swaps.
One of the three firsts Milwaukee is sending New Orleans in the Jrue Holiday trade is the Bucks’ first-rounder in Wednesday’s draft (number 24 overall), per league sources. The Pelicans already have the 13th overall pick in the first round.
A two-time All-Defensive player, Holiday was regarded as perhaps the top player on the trade market. The Pelicans are in a bit of a retool and plan to build around Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and others, and recognized that trading Holiday could help those efforts.
Meanwhile, the Bucks are stocking up on talent to help solidify their standing as a championship contender and convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign a five-year supermax contract. The team is also expected to acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic via a sign-and-trade from the Sacramento Kings.
The NBA draft is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Marquette Golden Eagles star guard Markus Howard was the overall leading scorer in college basketball last season. Now, he looks to the NBA.
Marquette Golden Eagles star guard Markus Howard was the overall leading scorer in college basketball last season. Now, he looks to the NBA.
Howard is the next in the lineage of Marquette greats to enter the pros, following the likes of Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder and Wesley Matthews. The guard played his entire senior campaign at 20 years old, so even though he had four years of experience in the NCAA, he still has plenty of time to develop.
He spoke to USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire about getting better because he played with his older brothers, why he started Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Marquette — and plenty more.
Please note this interview was very minorly edited for brevity and clarity.
I imagine you’re getting a lot of NBA interest right now, a lot of NBA interviews. What’s the one thing you really want them to know about you?
MH: I want them to know the type of person I am and what I bring to the table. I think my basketball talent speaks for itself. I think the four years I had, in terms of productivity and continually getting better each year, I do that better than anybody else in this draft class. If they really do their homework, they will see that. But at the end of the day, it’s about a team having the right fit with you and having the right connection. I think the things that I did in college can translate to the NBA. I’m really hoping that teams see that as well. I think that I’ll have success at the next level based on the type of player I am and what I bring to the table. I’m hoping that teams feel the same way about me and have belief in me and have trust in me and in my abilities.
When you look back at your time at Marquette, what are some of the things that you’re going to remember, that you’ll think about right away?
Markus Howard: There are a lot of things I’ll think about. I look back on my time with the people I was around, the people I had the opportunity to come in contact with and the relationships I’ve built over time. I think about the growth I’ve had over four years being in a place like Marquette. On the basketball side of things, it was tremendous and it was a great experience. But I take the full experience of being a college student-athlete into account. The people that I was around every day, who helped mold me and shaped me into the person and player I am today, had a big part of why I chose to go to Marquette. I think back to the people who, along the way, have helped me and who have been like family to me. Those are the things I think about when I look back at my time.
You’re still pretty young, playing your entire senior year at just 20 years old. That means you had to start college when you very young. What was that like, starting college when you did?
MH: My experience of going to college was very unique because I was extremely young. I was 17 years old during my entire freshman year. I graduated high school a year early and went right to college. It was definitely a transition. I went through it on my own and had to figure out a lot of things on my own. I think my freshman year, that was the biggest growth I had. I had to experience and deal with so much at the time. I was in a new role in a transition going from high school to college. It was definitely tough, but I think looking back on it now, those are the times I was most grateful for because I was able to really find myself and find out who I wanted to be as a person in those tough times. My freshman year, really early in my career, was extremely hard. But it helped shape me so I’m always grateful for that.
Because you are younger than other seniors, I’m curious about some ways you think you might still be able to add things to your game.
MH: I think for me personally, in my game, I’m far from a finished product. I think my best basketball is still ahead of me. Basketball is a game that’s always evolving. I can always learn and get better. I’m nowhere near where I’m going to be down the road. That’s something that’s exciting for me as a player and something that I’m looking forward to, just getting better at the next level, being around high-level talent each and every day. I know when I’m surrounded by an atmosphere that requires a high level of intensity, attention to detail, and skill, that’s when the best things of my game will be shown. That’s just something I’m looking forward to at the next level. All aspects of the game, I can continue to get better at, so those are areas that I’m going to focus on at the next level.
I would love to hear a little bit about your comfort in the pick and roll as you head into your professional career.
MH: Being my size, pick and roll was extremely huge for me and our team. I’ve gotten better at each and every year. I know that at the next level, PnR is going to be used a lot. So having that in my toolbox and already in the back of my mind is something that I know will benefit me. I also think that playing with the great upgrade of talent around me will lift my game to the next level. Just to be able to have different options to create off a ball screen, and with the space that the game offers at the next level, that is something that I’ll really be looking forward to. There were times when I would have three or four guys, maybe even the whole team, keyed in on me. So to be able to be in a role where I probably won’t be the number one option on a team’s defensive scout will make it easier for me to work within a ball screen situation. I’m looking forward to attacking and being able to play with guys around me who will help the best of my game be shown.
I know you’re very efficient in transition as well. The NBA is going to be a lot faster. How do you think you’ll do in a more fast-paced offense?
MH: That’s the way I like to play offensively. I like to play fast. I like to play up-tempo, which is the trend the league is going in as well. It’s all going to be about being in the right situation. I thrive in transition, being able to shoot from far distances. I use my speed and acceleration. I think it’s going to all be about me in the right fit, the right system, adjusting to that speed of the NBA. I know when those things come together, I’ll be very successful. I definitely think I thrive in transition.
Even though you had one of the highest usage rates in college basketball, you were fantastic shooting off the catch as well. If you play more off-ball in the beginning of your career, how will you be able to make an impact?
A scouting note: Markus Howard might be the best shooter (catch and off dribble) I ever scouted (15 years). Shooting 55% from 3 this year.
MH: A lot of what I was able to do over my four years at Marquette was based on the role that my coach needed from me. When I started my college career, I was more of a role player. I was a guy that could create off the dribble, but primarily, I was a catch and shoot threat. I took a lot of pride in that. Whatever the coach needed me to do, I was going to do that to the best of my ability. I think whatever role I’m placed in, I’m going to attack it head-on and try to give it my best effort. I’m able to play on the ball or off the ball. I’ve had experience in both. That’s what makes me unique as a player. I’m very multifaceted. I’m not subject to one position. The way that the NBA is going now, smaller guards are making a big impact. I think that’s something that can be really unique and eye-opening to teams. I can do a lot of different things, even without having the ball in my hands. I can work off the ball. It could definitely be something that a team could use in the right way.
I thought you were especially incredible when shooting from dribble handoffs. What are some other ways you can be used off the ball?
MH: Being around veteran knowledge, especially bigs who have been established in the league, I can learn from the different coverages defensively as well as how they work within pick-and-roll sets. Being able to be around NBA bigs, I can start to read them on the fly. They can read me on the fly. I know the attention to detail that those individuals have is next-level. That is something I’m really looking forward to being a part of in the NBA. It is very important for every guard to have a great relationship with a big.
How would you describe your playmaking ability?
Markus Howard is the best scorer in the country, but his development as a playmaker recently has been evident. He's trusting his teammates more and dishing when he doesn't have a good look. His growth in that area is a big reason why Marquette has been playing so well lately.
MH: A lot of what I did offensively was overshadowed by the scoring I did. I’m a very underrated passer and creator for others. I think there are a lot of times, especially throughout my career, where I made great plays not only for myself but for others. That can get overshadowed with the high scoring numbers. I know at the next level, with my role being limited, I’m prepared to be a playmaker. I know that with the opportunities I’ll be given, I’ll need to use those to the best of my abilities to be sure I’m making the right play whether that is for myself or for others. I feel very confident in the fact with the way I’m able to get into the teeth of the defense, create off the dribble, be able to create for guys. I feel very confident in the ability I have, as well as being able to play with high-level talent in the NBA. It’s going to bring out the best of my gam. I have no doubt in my mind that I’ll be successful at being able to create not only for myself but for others at the next level.
What are some ways you think you’re able to overcome your height to be so effective?
MH: It’s just me not being afraid of anything. As a basketball player, I’m extremely confident in my abilities and how hard I work. When you have that, you shouldn’t really fear anything. It doesn’t matter my size. You continue to fight, continue to compete. That’s something I pride myself on and that’s always been a key part of the success I’ve had. I am just able to compete, no matter who it’s against.
You’re one of the most impressive scoring guards we have seen in college. How did you become such an elite finisher?
MH: A lot of it has to do with being the youngest of three boys. I have two older brothers, they are three and five years older than I am. I’ve been playing with them since I was young. I always had to fight for everything. I always played with them, too, I never played my age group when I played travel and AAU and things like that. So, playing against older competition from the time I was young, I played three and five years up. Just to have that from a young age, I was always advanced and I always excelled. It’s because I had to keep up. That was always something that as a player I could use to my advantage. I kept going higher in the ranks and going from high school to college, it was kind of the same thing. Playing at a high level, playing against players that really challenged me, that’s something that I’ve taken to my advantage ever since I was younger. Playing against and competing with my brothers on a daily basis, that lit a fire in me as a competitor. That’s just something that I use from a mindset standpoint every time I step on the court. A lot of that stems from having two older brothers and always having to fight for everything in my household.
Do you think that helped you become such a good one-on-one scorer in isolation as well?
MH: I tried to be as creative as I could in a tight space. That’s something we would always lock in and focus on. Our backyard, growing up, wasn’t always the biggest. We didn’t have a lot of space like a normal court. You had to make the most with the most room you had. So I was always trying to be as creative as I could to try and get my shot off or try to create space. That’s something that I really value. Especially with my size, I had to make sure that was a big point of emphasis in my game, trying to be able to create with the abilities that I have. That’s something I attribute to when I was younger, always playing against my brothers, doing a little extra just because they were bigger and stronger and faster than I am. I had to make up for that.
How do you think that experience will help shape you as a younger NBA player coming into the league, playing against bigger and older players right away?
MH: It’s a mindset. I’ve always had the mindset I’ve had, from when I was a freshman until when I was a senior, even when I was one of the best players in the country. I still had that mindset. Each contest, I went out to compete. It didn’t matter who I was going up against, what team, what player, division. In my mind, I was always going against my brothers because those were the toughest battles that I ever faced growing up. Those are the kind of battles that always tested me and helped me grow as a player and as a person, going against them. I’m just going to use that mentality every time I sit on the court. Even at the next level, it doesn’t matter who it’s up against, I’m always going to have that mindset and that competitive fire that I’ve had ever since I was a young kid.
What is it like when you play basketball against your brothers now?
Potential All-American & @MarquetteMBB guard Markus Howard has a regimented offseason workout schedule & trains with his brother Desmond.
MH: It’s a lot of the same: very competitive, very high intensity. But it’s different because they can’t bully me like they used to be able to do. They like to think that they can, but they just can’t anymore. That’s always fun. There are no two people that can make me better than my older brothers. I love to compete and those two bring out the best in me and in my game. I’m very fortunate to have two older brothers to be able to play basketball with and against. The competitions we have to this day are always fun and really intense. I love it.
I love hearing it! What are some of the roles that you can see yourself having in the NBA?
MH: There is only so much I can control. It is really about a team and a coach believing in me and trusting in my abilities. I think whatever a team or coach needs me to do, I’m going to do that to the best of my ability, whether that is having a starring role or whether that is being a scorer off the bench or if that is just being a great locker room guy. Whatever the team needs me to do, I’m going to try to do that to the best of my ability. I know that being in the NBA is a privilege. It is an honor. I’m going to embrace this every day, having this as my job is definitely something that I want.
Are there any player comparisons that you have heard for yourself that you like?
Overheard some of the @utahjazz players at the #mubb game comparing Markus Howard to Kemba Walker… Honestly, not a bad comparison and I could see that panning out if he gets a shot in the NBA
MH: Some I’ve heard are guys like Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry, Patty Mills, Fred Van Vleet, DJ Augustin. Those are all guys that I’ve watched and who I continue to watch and pattern my game after. Those are some guys who are similar to me and my skill set. Those are the guys I watch the most around the NBA.
When you got your degree from Marquette, what did you end up studying?
MH: I studied digital media and I minored in advertising. I worked with cameras here and there. I liked working in a TV studio broadcasting environment. Down the road, sports broadcasting could be something that I would like to do. I’ve learned a lot about the advertising and marketing side of things, too. Especially in sports, that is very important. I try to use the things I learned in school now that I’m a professional. I try to entangle those things in my daily life. I’m extremely fortunate and grateful to have had a great four years academically and educationally at Marquette. I was able to learn from a lot of great people. Hopefully, I can use those in my professional career as well.
What advice would you give to DJ Carton and other players that are entering the Marquette program next year?
MH: I’ve told them on countless occasions, and I would continue to tell them, that they made the right decision. Be more than a basketball player. Enjoy the entire experience of being a student-athlete at Marquette. It is truly a special place. Be more than the game. I have such deep ties to and such an appreciation for Marquette. I did a good job of making it more than just about basketball. I think, being at a place like Marquette, it’s really like family because of the people around it. I embrace those relationships every day because it’s truly a special place. It’s one that I’ll cherish for as long as I live because of everything that it’s given me and everything it’s provided me. Those are all things I can take with me for the rest of my life. Those are all things I’ve said to them before and what I would say to them even if they were here right now with me.
I love that advice. What are some other things that you were involved with on campus at Marquette?
MH: I was definitely very active on campus in different student-athlete groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). I was also on a student athletic advisory committee. I was on that committee for about two years. And then any kind of campus outreach I could do. I tried to always be active in terms of community service and just trying to be sure I was getting out in the community. I didn’t want to be the stigma of a basketball player. I just played basketball went to school, and that was it. I tried to immerse myself as much as I could into the Marquette community, and it’s something I’m very proud of.
I also want to touch base with you a little bit about your high school experience going to Findlay Prep. You have a lot of teammates either currently in the NBA or will be in the NBA hopefully, soon, including several guys in this class. How did that experience help shape you to become such an elite competitor?
(AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
MH: It was a great experience being at Findlay and being around guys like PJ Washington and Oshae Brissett and Skylar Mays and Lamine Diane every day in practice. I got to practice against so many guys that would go on to play in the NBA. As a competitor, I enjoyed that. I loved it. We had such a competitive spirit each and every day in practice. That is what made me want to go there. It prepared me for going to college, being able to be at that intensity each and every day against high-level players. It was definitely a big part of my development, my growth, and I was happy to be able to do it.
What are some of the things that you like to do now when you’re not playing basketball?
MH: I like spending time with my family, resting, recovering, watching movies, playing cards. I’m pretty laid back, even if we weren’t in this quarantine, I’d be doing the same things besides training. I’m hanging out, laying low. I just like to spend time with my family. That is pretty much how I’ve always been.
Do you have any goals for yourself either on or off the basketball court?
MH: For both, continue to get better and grow. I think in anything, especially in life, that’s all you can aspire to do is to grow, to get better. It can translate to basketball. That’s something that I think if I take that step each day, I’ll continue to get better, continue to grow. It could only lead to success. That’s all I focus on each and every day.
Potential No. 1 overall pick James Wiseman said Monday that he has not spoken with the Timberwolves ahead of the NBA draft on Wednesday.
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Potential No. 1 overall pick James Wiseman said Monday on a conference call with reporters that he has not spoken with the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the NBA draft on Wednesday.
Wiseman has only worked out with the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets, who hold picks No. 2 and No. 3, during the pre-draft process. He only said that he has received “recommendations” from Minnesota but has had no communication to this point.
The 19-year-old reportedly does not want to be selected by the Timberwolves with Karl-Anthony Towns on the roster. Wiseman views the Warriors and Hornets as better long-term options for his growth but said that he would be open to whichever team that picks him.
“I will feel good with whatever team that picks me,” Wiseman said. “I’m truly grateful for that. Whatever team that picks me, I’m going to go in there, learn as much as possible and work my tail off and go in there and win. I’m going to give my full effort, just go in there and have fun but also just get better.”
Wiseman has worked on improving his shot in the months leading up to the draft and believes it is a lot better than when he last played at Memphis. He projects to check a lot of boxes for either the Warriors and Hornets and those two teams appear to be the frontrunners to take him.
The NBA draft is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson recognized Michigan State guard Cassius Winston on Monday for being a great leader on the court.
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Hall of Famer Magic Johnson recognized Michigan State guard Cassius Winston on Monday for being a great leader, even calling him the best at any position in the NBA draft.
Winston earned All-American Second Team honors after averaging 18.6 points, 5.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 30 games last season as a senior. He emerged as an excellent distributor for the Spartans, especially in pick-and-roll situations.
The 22-year-old is widely projected to be a second-round pick but some believe he could be chosen in the first round. In addition to his leadership qualities on the court, Winston also projects to be a good shooter at the next level after converting on 43.2% from 3-point range last season.
In this year's NBA Draft, the best leader at any position is MSU's point guard @cassiuswinston. With 18 points per game, 6 assists, and a basketball IQ off the charts, he's an ultimate winner!!
Of course, Johnson played two seasons at Michigan State and led the Spartans to the national championship in 1979 so he may be a bit biased toward Winston but the praise is not unwarranted. Winston is highly regarded and will be one of the most experienced heading into the NBA next season.
The NBA draft is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
After numerous delays and postponements, front offices and draftniks have had more time to analyze the 2020 NBA draft than any previous year.
After numerous delays and postponements, front offices and draftniks have had more time to analyze the 2020 NBA draft than any previous year.
Originally scheduled for June, the ongoing pandemic pushed the big night back by five months. While this may cause some teams to overthink their decisions, it gave analysts plenty of time to study all of the top prospects eligible in this class.
This year, players had to participate in a mostly virtual pre-draft process. On the bright side, this meant that teams had the opportunity to interview more candidates than ever before.
However, the number of in-person visits were incredibly limited due to the restrictive parameters set by the league. Similarly, the NBA draft combine was conducted without the typical scrimmages where players can separate themselves from the others with impressive on-court performances.
Overall, the players that stood out in this pre-draft process had a different path to recognition than any other year. College basketball players did not have the opportunity to showcase themselves during March Madness. The nation’s top seniors did not get to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
As such, executives will rely mostly on the existing game footage as well as the intel they gathered during their conversations with the prospects. We also depended on similar strategies, getting access to one-on-one interviews with more than three dozen prospects and exchanging our thoughts with various scouts across the league.
This helped us put together our final big board, looking at the Top 100 players ranked on their potential to make a difference for teams in the NBA.
Relevant statistics were pulled from Synergy Sports Tech, Bart-Torvik, KenPom, Open Look Analytics and RealGM. Note that the age listed for each player references how old they will be on the night of the draft.
Okongwu shared this week that he wants to eventually develop into a player just like Bam Adebayo.
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Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo took a tremendous leap last season in just his third year in the NBA. He was named an All-Star for the first time and helped lead the Heat to the NBA Finals. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise, then, to hear that Onyeka Okongwu wants to be just like Adebayo.
The former USC center shared his NBA goals with reporters during his media availability on Friday and said that he wants to develop just like Adebayo did with the Heat. He has a similar body type and skill set as Adebayo, which has drawn comparisons during the pre-draft process.
“I just want to be a player like Bam,” Okongwu said. “Bam’s my size, same athleticism. It took him a while to really be that All-Star player that he is in year three. I could definitely do that whole development process and be the type of player like Bam is.”
Okongwu earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors last season after averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. He emerged as perhaps the top defensive center in the country last season and has been touted for his potential to develop into a strong two-way player.
The 19-year-old is most commonly projected to be selected in the top 10, and some even believe he could be taken in the 4-6 range. He has drawn interest from several teams near the top of the draft and some, like the Boston Celtics, have even been rumored into wanting to trade up to take him.
Of course, whether Okongwu can be as good as Adebayo remains to be seen but he certainly has the tools and potential to reach that point and that may be good enough for a team to take him high in the draft.
The NBA draft is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
The Pac-12 Player of the Year appears to be a target of the Knicks toward the end of the first round, according to a report.
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Last month, rumors began to swirl that Oregon guard Payton Pritchard may have received a first-round promise from a team in the NBA draft. Now, Pritchard appears to be a target of the New York Knicks toward the end of the first round.
Of course, the Knicks hold picks 8, 27 and 38 in the draft and are reportedly targeting Pritchard with the 27th overall pick, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Pritchard has had a strong pre-draft process and has teams considering taking him in the first round.
Pritchard was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year after averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season as a senior. He shot 46.8% from the field, including 41.5% from 3-point range on 6.8 attempts per game.
The 22-year-old projects to be able to contribute now and that may be enticing to a team, such as the Knicks, with a pick at the end of the first round. He was initially projected to be a second-round pick but that may no longer be the case.
The NBA draft is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Anthony on Friday denied the apparent notion that he was considered a bad teammate during his time at North Carolina last season.
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Projected first-round pick Cole Anthony on Friday denied the apparent notion that he was labeled as a bad teammate during his time at North Carolina last season.
Anthony has been knocked some during the pre-draft process for being a problem in the locker room last season following an inconsistent showing. He was often criticized throughout the season when things were bad and those questions have been front and center prior to the NBA draft.
The 20-year-old said during his pre-draft media availability that nearly every team he has interviewed with has asked him about his reputation. Anthony vehemently denied the accusations and told reporters the rumors are simply not true.
“It’s very much false,” Anthony said. “If you base it off my play and say I made a lot of bad decisions, you might think I’m a bad teammate. I respect your opinion but I’m just going to say it’s wrong; it’s incorrect. I’m a super supportive guy. I want to see all of my teammates succeed as much as I want to see myself succeed, if not more. I don’t know where the narrative comes from but it is what it is.”
Anthony averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals in 22 games with the Tar Heels but experienced a disappointing season. He dealt with an injury that derailed his season a bit and likely helped fuel the rumors regarding his locker room presence.
While his reputation took a hit, several of his teammates defended him on social media last month and disagreed with the notion that he was a negative influence on the team. From Jawad Williams to Armando Bacot, they each agreed Anthony was a great person to be around.
As far as his interviews with teams, Anthony said that he has met virtually with several, including the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons, and has worked out privately with the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. He will also speak with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The NBA draft is scheduled to begin on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
