The second day of Jazz workouts again brought four seniors to the Zion’s Bank Basketball Center. Since the list of declaring underclassmen is not yet final, those who enter the draft will not begin workouts until later.

This morning the Jazz brought in Ryan Gomes of Providence, Sharrod Ford from Clemson, Dijon Thompson from UCLA, and Jason Maxiell of Cincinnati. The players worked out under the supervision of Jazz coaches and basketball operations personnel for nearly two hours Thursday morning.

“They’re four kids who had very successful college careers, at very successful Universities,” said Jazz VP of basketball operations Kevin O’Connor. Interestingly, all four players are considered undersized power forwards who will likely have to learn the small-forward spot in the NBA.

“We want to see how hard they play, how much they listened to what our coaches are trying to get them to do, see how focused they are,” said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. “I think some of those things are important in basketball and moving on as a player. If you can’t listen, can’t hear what’s going on, it’s going to be difficult to improve as a player”

Gomes

Ryan Gomes
Forward, Providence
6-7, 245 lbs., Westbury, CT

Gomes was perhaps the best player in the Big East the last two seasons, leading the league in scoring in 2004 while earning his second consecutive first team All-Big East spot. He was first team All-America after the 2004 season. After testing the draft waters as a junior (and working out for the Jazz), Ryan decided to go back to school and get his degree in Social Science. He averaged 21.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 blocks a game this past season as a Friar.

Kevin O’Connor’s take on Gomes:
“Ryan has improved his shooting, he’s gotten quicker, he’s added a couple inches to his vertical jump, which we keep track of, from last year. He’s improved in some physical categories as well as making himself a better player out on the perimeter.”

On going back for his senior year:
“Going through the draft process last year, getting a lot of feedback from the GMs and coaches on what I needed to do to be a player in this league. So I went back to school, got my degree and worked on the things I needed to work on.”

Maxiell

Jason Maxiell
Forward, Cincinnati
6-7, 250 lbs., Carrollton, TX

Maxiell is a Charles Barkley-type player who makes up for lack of size with hustle and attitude. He led the Bearcats in scoring and blocked shots his junior year, then came back as a senior to raise his numbers. He was named second-team All-Conference USA, and averaged 15.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks a night. Jason enjoys building model cars in his spare time.

On what he gained during his senior year:
“Skill level is most definitely ball-handling, but other than that my maturity level has raised.”

On possibly moving to the small forward spot in the pros:

“Over the years in college I worked on my dribbling skills, and therefore could move on to the 3-guard if I have to.”

Thompson

Dijon Thompson
Guard/Forward, UCLA
6-7, 209 lbs., Redondo Beach, CA

Like Gomes, Thompson tested the NBA waters last year, only to decide on another year in school. Thompson is an extremely diverse player who can do a lot of things well, but maybe not one thing great. Thompson had a great senior year though, throwing in 18.4 points and 7.9 rebounds a night.

On what he foresees for his rookie year:
“I consider myself coming in, playing right away. Being some type of contributor, whatever they need me to do. I’m working out, preparing myself for the season, to be able to come in and play right away.”

On possibly playing for the Jazz:
“It’s a very disciplined organization. I think I fit well here. UCLA coach Ben Howland uses a lot of discipline. I think I’m well prepared if I do end up here.”

Ford

Sharrod Ford
Forward, Clemson
6-9, 230 lbs., Suitland, MD

Ford, a center at Clemson, is the first Tiger ever who increased his scoring average by at least 3 points over three consecutive seasons. The third-team All-ACC performer scored 14.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks a game this past year.

On his workout with the Jazz compared to his other workouts:
“I think this was a little more intense than the other two. I don’t know if it was the air, I just couldn’t really breathe. I felt like I wasn’t in shape. I know I’m in shape, but I think it’s just the air.”

On performing in front of Jerry Sloan, and his discipline:
“It’s kind of nerve-wracking, but once you get into the flow you forget he’s over there.” “When I was at Clemson they made us tuck our shirts in at practice, so I was kind of used to it. It (coach Sloan’s rule) wasn’t anything new.”