After a week to scout the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp, the Jazz resumed working out prospects Thursday at the Zions Bank Basketball Center with four college seniors. Illinois' Luther Head, Alabama-Birmingham's Donnell Taylor, Syracuse's Josh Pace, and Rutgers' Ricky Shields.

All four are considered two-guards, with some being able to play the point, and some able to move to the three spot. Most are expected to be second round picks, but Head reportedly performed very well at the Chicago Pre-Draft camp, possibly improving his chances immensely. Overall, today's group was one for shooters.

"These guys really worked hard," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "They had a nice workout and they worked very. very hard. It's fun to watch them when they play hard. It's probably the best group we've had in here."

"This was a terrific group," noted Jazz VP of Basketball Operations Kevin O'Connor. "Competitiveness is key here. They're in great shape."

O'Connor also addressed certain rumors and issues that have been floating around the media in recent days.

On Gerald Green's workout status, and whether or not he requested to not workout against another player:
What he asked is that he not weorkout against anybody. We explained to him that if he's going to come in, we want him to work out with other people. Going one on one isn't a big concern of ours. But seeing how he does drills, how he incorporates coaching with other people on the court. That's something they seem comfortable with."

On kids who don't do workouts:
It's like going to the dentist. You don't want to go to the dentist; I'm not sure these kids want to go to these workouts. But they're told what to do. You hire an agent, and the reason you hire an agent is because it's your first time through this process, so you're told what to do. You're told not to work out. So an 18 year-old just says "Okay, that's the way you set it up that's what I'm supposed to do." That's what they do, and they get blamed for it, not their agent. We're trying to get what information we can, they're deciding what's best for their client."

On reports he'd promised to pick certain players if they were available:
It's an absolute lie. I will say that we made no promise, none, to Jason Maxiell. I could play cat and mouse and say something about it, but I don't think that's fair to Jason.

On the Cleveland job:
Not interested.

Head

Luther Head
Guard, Illinois
6-3, 185 lbs., Chicago, IL

Head was one of the main cogs on a team that steamrolled opponents en route to the championship game last year. He has a deadly stroke from outside, and can defend on the perimeter as well. What may get him by in the NBA is an ability to play point guard, something he believes he can do, despite getting very little practice behind Illini guards Dee Brown and Deron Williams. Head averaged 15.9 points, 3.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds last season, earning him consensus second team All-America plus first-team All-Big Ten.

On what he did in Chicago that impressed people so much:
I just went in focused and not thinking. I think some guys went into that camp thinking they had something to prove. Myself, I just went in there and tried to play as hard as I can, gave 110% effort.

On his relationship with his Illini teammates:
Deron (Williams) is one of my best friends. I talk to him all the time. I still talk to Dee (Brown) all the time, even though he went through an (unfortunate) situation (Note: Brown broke a foot last week, forcing him to pull out of the draft and return to Illinois for his senior year). Still talk to Roger (Powell).

Can he play point guard at the NBA level?
Definitely. I'm confident in my ball handling ability, I feel I can get the ball up the floor and get the team in the offense. I'm comfortable I can play that position, but who knows? I'll just have to wait until draft night and see.

O'Connor's take on Head:
There's a reason Illinois was pretty good, and it wasn't just Deron Williams. Luther was good, and he was very good in Chicago. I think he's got an opportunity to play point guard in the league.

Josh Pace
Guard, Syracuse
6-6, 203 lbs., Griffin, CA

Pace was one of the unsung heroes on Syracuse's dominant squads the last few years, quietly going about doing the things that don't show up on box scores. But Pace can still light up the scoreboard - but on a team with Hakim Warrick and Gerry McNamara he just simply wasn't asked to do that. He was an invaluable cog on the 2003 Cuse squad that beat Kansas for the national championship. This past season he averaged 10.9 points, 3.8 assists and 5 rebounds a game.

On his workout with the Jazz:
I think it went well. I think they have a lot of three, four guards here that are known in college basketball as well, so it's good competition and a good workout..

On working out for Jerry Sloan:
I think it says a lot for a coach to be out here watching us. Obviously he cares about his team, and he wants to know what's going on. It's shows a lot about his program.

On being in a Jazz uniform next season:
I'd love to; if they want me I'll be here. I would love to be here though. (Salt Lake City) is a good city. I was here two weeks ago and it was snowing. So it's kind of like Syracuse.

O'Connor's Take on Pace:
He's a kid that probably is a utility guy in the league. He's not a great shooter, but he's not a bad shooter. He scores around the basket."

Ricky Shields
Guard, Rutgers
6-4, 190 lbs., Upper Marlboro, MD

Shields was an explosive scorer with freakish athleticism. He can windmill dunk from a standing position. He played a number of spots for the Scarlet Knights, and was a four-year letterman. This past season he threw in 13 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Donnell Taylor
Guard, Alabama-Birmingham
6-6, 180 lbs., Montgomery, AL

Taylor is another explosive athlete who has range at both guard spots and small forward. He earned second team all-Conference USA last season, when he averaged 15.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3 assists a game. Donnell's athleticism and pesky defensive ability could help him have a career in the NBA.