2023 Lakers draft prospect profile: Jamarius Burton

A look at Jamarius Burton, a guard from the University of Pittsburgh.

When it comes to adding backcourt depth and possibly replacing at least one of the guards they may lose in free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have options.

If D’Angelo Russell leaves, they could use him in a sign-and-trade, and the expiring contracts of Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba could be used as well.

But perhaps the team’s most valuable commodities are its No. 17 and No. 47 picks in the 2023 NBA draft. The Lakers could either trade them or use them on players who are ready enough to help next season.

One player the Lakers worked out that they could either get in the second round or as an undrafted free agent is Jamarius Burton, a guard out of the University of Pittsburgh.

Catching up with the Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA draft workouts Part IV

Let’s dive into who the Celtics might be targeting at No. 35.

Even with the offseason here in earnest, the Boston Celtics have plenty on their plate regarding their future as they continue to work out prospects projected to go in the second round of the ’23 NBA draft.

With the Celtics likely to need cheap depth in the future, look for prospects who are either polished enough to get some real minutes in their rookie campaign or who might be okay with a season or two stashed abroad while the team makes decisions about how it will use the new two way player slot added to rosters in the latest collective bargaining agreement recently adopted by the league.

Adding to our previous reporting of the team’s known workouts comes a new wave of prospects Boston has been working out — let’s dive into who the Celtics might be targeting at No. 35.

Eight ACC players selected for Portsmouth Invitational Tournament

Two recent Notre Dame players could have an NBA shot.

There are several avenues for NBA hopefuls to make it to the league. One of the better-known ones is the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which is open only to recent college seniors. This is the oldest amateur tournament in the country, so it carries some weight.

The tournament doesn’t generate NBA draft picks every year, but Tyrese Martin ended a four-year drought when he became a second-round selection in 2022. [autotag]Pat Connaughton[/autotag] was drafted after taking part in the 2015 tournament. Other notable tournament alumni include Jimmy Butler, Tim Hardaway, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, John Stockton, Dave Cowens, Earl Monroe and Rick Barry.

This year, eight recent ACC seniors have the opportunity to compete in the tournament. While there aren’t any guarantees for what happens afterwards, it’s a great way to get noticed by scouts. Here are the players who represented the ACC during the past season and will get a good look by folks who know the professional game well:

Prentiss Hubb rescues Notre Dame against Pittsburgh

That was too close.

Notre Dame will need to have a better showing against ACC competition than it had in its first game with Pittsburgh. The Irish came dangerously close to dropping this road contest against the only team in the conference with a record below .500. In the end, Prentiss Hubb’s go-ahead shot with 5.6 seconds left gave the Irish a 68-67 victory.

After the Irish (7-5, 1-1) found themselves in a 30-all tie at halftime, a 6-0 run by the Panthers (5-8, 0-2) looked like it would be enough of a catalyst to spark the hosts to a win as the Irish struggled with their shooting. Instead, an 8-0 Irish run later in the second half tied it back up, and they held a slim lead going into the final minute.

Femi Odukale scored on a layup and foul with 33 seconds remaining to put the Panthers back up. After he missed the ensuing free throw, Dane Goodwin got the rebound to begin the possession that ended with Hubb’s heroics. After taking a timeout, Jamarius Burton got a layup opportunity but missed it. The cliche that the Irish had escaped by the skin of their teeth definitely applied here.

Paul Atkinson Jr. led the Irish with 16 points, making all eight free throws, before fouling out late. Hubb was just behind with 15. Blake Wesley scored 12, and Dane Goodwin added 11, nine of which came on 3-pointers.

It was quite the maddening game to wrap up 2021. Now, the Irish will get Duke on New Year’s Day. A lot of improvement will be needed fast to pull off the upset. Do they have enough time to pull it off though?