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Pre-Draft Workouts Day One
With five picks in the June 28th NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz have a lot of work to do between now and then. The team must wade through a deep and talented pool of players to find the best fits for the young squad. Over the next month the team will be bringing in dozens of the best young basketball players in the world to try and gauge how they would fit as Jazzmen. Wednesday, May 18 was the first such day. The team brought in what seems to be a rarity in today’s youth-driven hoops world: four men who stayed in college for four years. Julius Hodge from North Carolina State, Josh Gross from North Carolina Greensboro, Eddie Basden of Charlotte and Ronnie Price from Utah Valley State. Members of the Jazz’s coaching staff and basketball operations department took the youngsters through nearly two hours of rigorous workouts followed by interviews. All are considered solid late first or second round selections.
Ronnie Price Utah Valley State College, 6-2 Guard, Friendswood, Texas Ronnie is one of the most honored players to come out of the Orem, UT school. He finished third in the nation this past year in scoring, averaging 24.3 points a game, and was named the NCAA Division-I Independents Player of the Year. On his workout: “I knew it’d be intense, and fun. I had a great time and enjoyed myself. It was all that I expected.” Kevin O'Connor on Ronnie:
North Carolina State, 6-7 Guard/Forward, Harlem, NY Julius was the 2004 ACC Player of the Year, as well as being First-Team All-ACC twice (2003,2004). He led the Wolfpack to a remarkable run to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen that included a win over defending champion Connecticut. He averaged 17 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists his senior season. On what he brings to the table: “I bring great intensity. I’m going to continue being the hardest worker I could possibly be. I’m going to try and reach my potential in this league. Whatever I do, I’m going to just try and be a winner. Every level of basketball I’ve won, and I’m going to try and bring that to wherever I get drafted.” Kevin O'Connor on Julius:
Josh Gross UNC-Greensboro, 6-6 Forward, Columbia, MD Josh was a pivotal player for the Spartans the last three years, playing with a hustling mentality that is getting his potential noticed in the NBA. Playing over 25 minutes a game this past year, he averaged 9.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. Kevin O'Connor on Josh:
Charlotte, 6-5 Forward, Washington D.C. Eddie was one of the best players in Conference USA the last few seasons, being named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 after being nominated twice. He is among the most versatile players in college hoops, Basden is known for his sensational dunks. During his senior year he played over 36 minutes a game while throwing in 15.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.2 steals a game. |
