With the draft just five days away, the Jazz finally got an up close and personal look at two of the point guards that may be available when the team picks sixth. And the other guards working out today weren't slouches by any means whatsoever. But all eyes were still on Illinois' Deron Williams and North Carolina's Raymond Felton. Also attending were Georgia prep Louis Williams, Maryland's John Gilchrist, and Andre Owens from Houston.

Deron Williams and Felton were at the center of the basketball stage just a matter of months ago as their teams squared off for the national championship. Though working out at separate times and not head-to-head, they still were competing for the eyes and hearts of Jazz brass. But the men running the show didn't give much inclination toward either player.

"As far as we are today, there hasn't been a great deal of change with the two or three players at our position," noted Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "We could move up, or move down. Who knows? All those things have to be weighed. The decisions aren't as prevalent now as they will be later on." "I thought they both did what they were asked to do, with the right attitude the best they could." "They both played in the national championship game, and obviously they're projected in the top 10 in the draft," noted Jazz VP of Basketball Operations Kevin O'Connor. "But the biggest surprise of the day was Andre Owens and how hard he worked. Today was a terrific day as far as working out for us. They really competed, they showed a lot of things we were hoping we'd see."

Jazz VP of Basketball Operations Kevin O'Connor continued to keep a close lid on what he's thinking, but nevertheless answered inquiries into his thought process, and speculated on what might happen Tuesday: "I don't know (If Deron Williams will be available at six). With the draft you never know. A lot of strange things have happened," he said. Not that that means he's going to take Deron, or any point guard for that matter... "You keep wanting us to take a point guard. Just because we don't have any on our roster...why do you keep heading in that direction?" he joked later. "We like a lot of people in the draft, and those three point guards are terrific."

D. Williams

Deron Williams
Point Guard, Illinois
6-3, 210 lbs., Dallas, TX

From a plethora of talented point guards in college basketball this season, it was Deron Williams who rose to become arguably the best pure point in the entire nation. Some would say he only looked good because of the talent surrounding him, but most agree that without Deron Williams Luther Head, Dee Brown and Roger Powell go nowhere, and Illinois definitely doesn't win 37 games. Deron is stands out because of notable height advantage over other point guards, but he also has a very cerebral approach to the position, not unlike his favorite NBA player Jason Kidd. Williams pulled down second team All-America, first team All-Big Ten, MVP of the Chicago Regional, and averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds.

On team's reportedly trying to move up to pick him:
It's a possibility. I've heard a lot of teams are trying to move up. Right now, the draft is so wide open, there's no clear cut number one, and nobody knows who's going to go after that. So I just work out for a lot of teams, and hope.

On how it went today
I thought I shot the ball well. The air got to me a little bit. It's pretty thin up here.

On how his rise in status heading into the draft makes him feel:
It makes me feel good. I've been trying to do my part. Come to workouts, be prepared, do the best I can. And I've done that. I've helped myself.

On what he brings to the table as an NBA player, and how he'd fit in with the Jazz:
I think I can come and step in right away. I'm best at making my teammates better, and getting people the ball. My job as a point guard is to win, and to contribute to the winning cause. I think I'd fit in real well (with the Jazz), they have a mix of athleticism and shooters. I think I'd be strong with players like that, Andrei Kirilenko and Boozer. I would flourish and get those guys the ball.

Did you really drop 15 pounds since the season ended?
Yeah. I eat right. That's a big key. Cut out the McDonalds, cut out stuff like that, that you do in college. I got a personal trainer in Houston, working out real hard. It didn't take me long. Took me about three and a half weeks to drop 15 pounds. It's paying off. That was a concern with a lot of NBA teams, my weight and my body. That was the first thing I wanted to go in and attack. I didn't schedule any workouts until I felt my body was where it needed to be.

On who he patterned his game after:
Definitely Jason Kidd. I watched him growing up in Dallas. Definitely watched John Stockton a lot. He's one of the greatest point guards ever. I do a lot of things like him. He was a great player. I know how to control the tempo of the offense. I know when to push it, and when to not push it. I'm good in the half-court, getting people the ball in the best position to score.

O'Connor's take on Deron:
When you look at him, you saw him play at Illinois. The fact he's in better shape than he was when he played in Illinois shows that he understands what it takes to succeed at the next level. I don't think anybody coming out of college could play 40 minutes a game, but he would be more ready than most. He has an advantage in size, maybe gives up a little in shooting.

Jerry Sloan's take on Deron:
I like him a little bit more because he's played longer, has a better feel, can see the whole picture very well. Some of the guys that come out early, that's something they can learn, if they have the talent.

Felton

Raymond Felton
Point Guard, North Carolina
6-1, 198 lbs., Latta, SC

While Williams was the strong, cerebral type, Raymond Felton was the bolt of lightning cutting across the lane mercilessly. Felton led the Tar Heels to the national championship over Williams' Illini, proving that he can effectively run the point, and that his shot isn't too big a concern. He has a knack for making plays, plain and simple - in transition and the half-court. And don't let his size fool you - he weighs in at a stout 200 pounds, and he knows how to use every ounce to his advantage. Ray's honors: NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team, All-ACC First Team, Third Team All-America, and the only player in UNC history to record 1,000 points, 600 assists, 300 rebounds, 150 steals, and 100 three-point field goals.

On his workout, and if the altitude bothered him:
Nah, it's not getting to me. What's getting to me is the waiting process. Going to teams and working out. It's a dream come true, to see every NBA coach just about, go to their facilities, put on their jerseys, their practice uniforms. It's a wonderful experience. But the whole waiting experience, just waiting on the draft, seeing where you're gonna go, that's what it's all about right now. But it's always fun. Playing the game of basketball, I'm living a dream right now. Playing in the NBA is a dream, so I'm always going to be happy. I can never say I'm not happy.

On the possibility of playing point guard for the Jazz:
I'm ready for just about anything. I know it's going to be tough living up to John Stockton, but at the same time - if I get drafted here - I just want to come in and win some games. I'm just waiting to see what happens.

On if O'Connor or Sloan gave him any indications:
I've heard from my agent that certain people are interested, they like me. But they can't say as much. They aren't going to say "Hey Raymond, we like you. We gonna take you." Let's just wait and see what happens.

On what separates him from Deron Williams and Chris Paul
We all play just about the same. We have different things about us, but we're all great passers, we can score. We do whatever it takes to win.

Jerry Sloan on Felton:
He's got great quickness, great speed. He pushes the ball up the floor and gets you in an uptempo game. You can run all day as a wingman or a big guy, but if you don't have someone to get there and get the ball, you're not going to run very long. He will make guys run the floor.

Kevin O'Connor on Felton:
He brings speed, quickness. If you look at him, I was surprised when I first met him, even after watching him play so many times, he a 199 pounds. But he was the second fastest person in Chicago. He looks like he could be a halfback too. He can shoot the ball, we're not worried about that. If you look at his shooting percentage in college, I think he was 40& on 3s, and that's terrific.

L. Williams

Louis Williams
Point Guard, South Gwinnett (GA) High School
6-2, 175 lbs., Lithonia, GA

This wiry youngster left Georgia Bulldog fans heartbroken when he spurned them and decided to enter the draft. He's done fairly well for himself in workouts thus far, but may be a victim of a draft chock full of quality point guards. Most compare him to Allen Iverson because of his explosiveness and toughness. Williams already displays a strong work ethic and a mental capacity that belies his 18 years.

How tough a decision was this?
Not that tough. I'm still eligible to go to college, to this day. So it really was just a matter of testing the waters. One of my AAU coaches said "The NBA's ready for you, I hope you're ready for the NBA." It wasn't that hard a decision to make, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. A lot of my friends and guys in the neighborhood will never get this opportunity, so when it comes my way, who am I to turn it down?

Does he have a good feeling about any particular teams?
I've got a good feeling about a couple teams. But if I had to say I had a good feeling about a team. I'd say Detroit. I had a couple good workouts there, it'd be great for me with Chauncey, and with such a veteran team, they wouldn't need me to develop right off the bat.

Gilchrist

John Gilchrist
Point Guard, Maryland
6-3, 194 lbs., Virginia Beach, VA

Gilchrist was one of the most successful point guards in the ACC - quite a feat considering the caliber of players in the league. Gilchrist is very strong and agile, and possesses the ability to play either guard spot. A history of questionable attitudes may hurt his draft status, but he may be a steal in the second round. Gilchrist honors: ACC Tourney MVP, Third Team All-ACC (both in 03-04), and the first Terrapin to lead the team in scoring and assists since Walt Williams.

Andre Owens
Point Guard, Houston
6-4 199 lbs., Indianapolis, IN

A strong senior season and a great showing at the Portsmouth Invitational have helped Owens' stock climb. A strong, mature point guard, the former Indiana transfer uses his size and experience to outmaneuver his opponents. As a senior he averaged 18.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.