A pair of undrafted players will be working out for the San Antonio Spurs soon.
USC’s Marcus Simmons will be in San Antonio for a mini-camp and Fresno State’s Greg Smith is in Miami today for the start of a four-day mini-camp, which a Spurs representative will be attending.
Simmons is a 6-6 guard known primarily for his defense. He averaged 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in his senior season with the Trojans. He was also named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, beating out UCLA’s Malcolm Lee and Washington’s Justin Holiday. Being the defensive standout on one of the best defensive teams in the country, that included recently-drafted 76ers center Nikola Vucevic, is saying something.
Smith is a 6-9 center, and a name many expected would be called on draft night. While he is undersized among most centers, his 7-2 wingspan allows him to play against taller centers and forwards.
Smith averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game last season. Aside from his wingspan, Smith is very athletic and mobile for a center. He has big hands, measuring one foot wide that allow him to snatch entry passes with ease. He is still very raw, but taking a chance on him and spending some time developing his post game could benefit a team.
Simmons and Smith are just a few of the many players that the Spurs will be taking a good look at. After finding a gem in Gary Neal, I doubt the Spurs will leave any stone unturned.
