With the NBA Draft set to take place later today, reports are still coming out regarding whom the San Antonio Spurs worked out, and who they plan to workout after the draft.
The Spurs have worked out 20-year old Marquette guard Vander Blue, and they will have future workouts with NBA D-League players Jerome Jordan and Demetris Nichols according to reports.
Vander Blue
Blue told JSOnline.com last Friday that he had a workout with the Spurs while they were still playing in the NBA Finals.
Blue said he worked out for the San Antonio Spurs last week and attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He had a chance to sit down for a visit with Wade, just a few days before the Heat claimed its second straight championship.
Blue said he had a strong workout in San Antonio and also performed well in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Detroit and Orlando.
Blue is a 6’5” shooting guard who played in 34 games for Marquette where he averaged 14.8 points per game, shot 45% from the field, 53% from inside the arc, and 30% outside the arc per Draft Express. Blue also averaged 1 steal but 2.3 turnovers per game as well.
Here’s another observation of Blue via the JSOnline.com article.
Bucks director of scouting Billy McKinney said Blue was used primarily "on the ball" during Friday's workout at the Cousins Center.
"He doesn't have to (play point guard)," McKinney said. "He's got the size to play the shooting guard. He's going to have to shoot the ball more consistently and with range.
"But one of the things a guy like Vander has to look at for making an NBA roster — he's an incredible athlete that can defend. He did play really good defense today. He might have to look at changing his game a little bit and coming in and being a stopper as opposed to a scorer."
Jerome Jordan
According to ESPN New York, former New York Knicks center Jerome Jordan is coming off a season in the D-League, where he’s worked to improve his game, and will be trying to earn a roster spot with an NBA team. The Spurs are one team who might work him out.
The Knicks aren't the only team interested in Jordan, who would likely come cheap for a one-year deal. Next week, he's taking part in a free-agent minicamp with the Spurs, followed by the Pacers and Mavericks. The Pacers, in fact, will suit up Jordan for their summer league team in Orlando.
Via the article, here are a few of Jordan’s attributes.
Playing for the Reno Bighorns and Los Angeles D-Fenders, Jordan averaged 13 points (on 59.2 percent shooting), 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. The 7-0, 253-pound Jordan, who has a knock-down pick-and-pop jump shot and covers the court well defensively with his athleticism, improved in a few areas offensively. He fine-tuned his hook shots, drop-step moves and an occasional turnaround jumper, an offensive package the Knicks could use in the low post.
Demetris Nichols
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles, D-League player Demetris Nichols will work out for the Spurs.
Former Cuse standout Demetris Nichols, named 1st Team All D-League last season, has workouts scheduled with the Spurs and Bucks
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 21, 2013
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Nichols is a 6’8” forward who played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 49 games this season. He averaged 18.7 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He also shot 47% from the field and 36% from 3-point range while shooting 85% from the free throw line. Defensively, he did average 1.4 steals per game but he turned the ball over 3.2 times per game.
(Hat-Tip: HoopsRumors.com)
