Player workouts for the 2006 NBA Draft continued Sunday at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Charlotte Bobcats Arena with Arkansas’ Ronnie Brewer, George Washington’s Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Davidson’s Brendan Winters, Delta State University’s Jasper Johnson and Russian Superleague player Viktor Keirou all in town.

All five players are hoping to be drafted late in the first round, in the second round or sign on somewhere as an undrafted free agent.

After averaging 18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.6 steals in his junior year at Arkansas, Brewer has decided to enter the NBA Draft. The 6-7, 217-pound guard, who helped lead the Razorbacks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in five years, racked up the awards following his junior season. He was named 2006 Honorable Mention All-American by Collegehoops.net, 2006 Defensive All-American by CollegeInsider.com, named a 2006 Wooden Award Finalist and 2006 First Team All-SEC by the Associated Press and the league’s coaches.

Mensah-Bonsu was named to the 2006 All-Atlantic First Team after ranking first on the team in blocks (1.7) and field goal percentage (.564) and second in scoring (12.6 points) and rebounding (6.7). He was also given the 2006 GW Strength & Conditioning Award. The 6-8, 240-pound power forward was sidelined for two weeks prior to the NCAA Tournament after slightly tearing his meniscus in his left knee.

Winters, a 6-5, 205-pound wing player capped his four-year career at Davidson by leading the Wildcats to a Southern Conference Tournament title and berth in the NCAA Tournament. He was the SoCon Tourney MVP on the strength of his career-high 33 points in the championship game. For his career, Winters scored 1,892 points, fourth all-time at Davidson and set a school record with 268 three-pointers. In addition, the 2005 SoCon Player of the Year earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Associated Press as a junior.??This past season, Winters was named to the NABC All-District 5 second team after averaging a team-high 16.9 points and connecting on 57 three-pointers.

Johnson led Delta State with averages of 20.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals and connected on a team-best 86.8 percent of his free throws in his senior season. The 6-7, 245-pound center helped Delta State win a school-record 26 straight games and finish the 2005-06 season with a 30-2 overall record – the best record in school history – after transferring from the University of Southern Mississippi following his junior season.

Keirou spent his first two seasons (2001-03) playing for Uniks Kazan’s second team in Russia’s Higher League – the country’s third division. He moved up to the senior team in 2003-04 and played two season’s in Russia’s top league. The 6-6, 220-pound guard joined Dynamo St. Petersburg for the 2005-06 season and averaged 4.4 points in 25 games. He was originally and early entrant candidate for the 2005 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration.

BobcatsBasketball.com visited with Bobcats General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff, Brewer, Mensah-Bonsu and Winters after the workouts:

(On the possibilities with the 50th pick) The scenario that has come up here is do we take the 50th pick or draft a foreign player and leave him in Europe and let him develop? So there are three or four scenarios that can play out here. Or we could find a young player and put him in a development league, with size and athleticism. One thing that has happened in the draft these past two years, are guys that we had ranked high have fallen. That possibility is there, so we have to be ready.

(On Brendan Winters) He can shoot the basketball, and he got off to a pretty good start. He and (Ronnie) Brewer both are great players. He has great, quick hands, and it’s always an asset when you can shoot the basketball.

(On his game) I think the best part of my game is my versatility to do a lot of things. With my size, I will be able to guard the two’s and three’s and be able to rebound. I just want to work on my skills, so that coaches continue to have interest in me.

(On this workout compared to others) It went pretty well. It was tough, but you have to compete, and that’s what basketball is all about. That’s what everyone tried to do today, and I think I did fairly well.

(On his strengths) I think I shot the ball pretty well. Plus with my size I tried to score inside and take it to the basket. I think those are the strengths of my game, and that’s what I try to do when I’m working.

(On his status come draft time) I think it is up in the air right now. After the first 15 or 20 picks, anything can happen so I am just trying to keep my hopes alive. If I don’t make the first round, I hope that I will fall at a good second round pick.

(On this workout compared to the Orlando camp) It’s a little different because there are only four or five guys here and all eyes are on you pretty much. All the coaches have got their eyes on you. It tests your endurance and your strength so they can see how in shape you really are. It also gives them a chance to see what they are working with one-on-one and on an up-close and personal basis. I think these workout help a lot because sometimes when you play in a five-on-five setting you may not have a good game and I think it is tough for coaches to judge that, but if they see you up close then thay can see all your skills, weaknesses, and strengths.

(On evaluating his workout) I shot the ball really well and that was one of the things that I wanted to show here today. I was really focused on coming out here and showing them that I had a consistent jump shot, play solid defense and work really hard.”

(On working out for the Bobcats) It was really cool having your home team bring you in for a workout. They give you a chance to get a look and the possibility of playing for an NBA team.

(On draft expectations) I’m pretty realistic. I would like to take it one step at a time. If I don’t get drafted, I’ll try to make a summer league team and play my way up to be invited to a training camp and then go from there. If I make the training camp, and make the team, then I’ll play in the NBA. If not, I’ll go over to Europe and play.

(On nervousness of the workout) Honestly, I wasn’t as nervous today as my first one in Indiana. I had one under my belt today. It’s always a little nerve-racking to go out there and prove yourself pretty much in front of famous people, and coaches who are going to critque your game. It’s always a lot of fun though.

(On his father Brian Winters) My dad has been my number one mentor from day one. He is a guy that has always believed in me, and with his NBA experience, I know I can always rely on him for advice. He will always tell me what to expect, what to look for, and how to do things. He got a workout for me that I can do on my own that helps me get in shape, and simulates the drills that the majority of NBA teams do.