Moore, Howard headline big workout

Conrad Brunner Caught in the Web banner headline
by Conrad Brunner || Caught in the Web Archive ||

June 7, 2011

The media focus today may well be on E'Twaun Moore and Matt Howard for obvious reasons.

But the focus of the Pacers' scouting staff may be more intent on two other prospects among the six due in today for one of the most loaded of the team's six pre-draft workouts to date.

A pair of prolific shooting guards, Klay Thompson of Washington State and Marshon Brooks of Providence, also will be on hand, and both could be strong possibilities for the Pacers to consider with the No. 15 pick in the first round.

The 6-7 Thompson, son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson, averaged 22.1 points last season and is considered one of the top pure shooters in the draft. The 6-5 Brooks was second in the nation in scoring at 24.6 and has the full package of moves.

Moore follows Purdue teammate JaJuan Johnson, who worked out May 26, into Conseco Fieldhouse. A 6-4 shooting guard who teamed with Johnson to win 107 games in four years together with the Boilermakers, Moore has s solid shooting stroke and smooth overall game but questions about his athleticism and explosiveness lead to his projection as a mid-second round pick.

Another productive player with a winning pedigree, the 6-8 Howard played a key role in Butler's consecutive trips to the NCAA title game, averaging 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds last season while being named the Academic All-America of the Year. Undersized for a traditional NBA power forward, Howard needs to show he can hang with bigger bodies.

Also do in are Andrew Warren, a product of Indianapolis' Brebeuf Jesuit, who starred at Bradley. The 6-6 Warren led the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring (18.8), 3-pointers made per game (2.4), free throws made (4.2) and minutes (36.7). His uncle Tony starred for Butler, his cousin Johnny Davis is a former Pacers player and veteran NBA coach and his godfather is former Pacers star Chuck Person.

Matching up with Howard will be Wisconsin's Jon Leuer (6-11), who struggled to a 1-of-12 shooting game in a 61-54 loss to Butler in the NCAA Tournament.

This will be the Pacers' sixth workout, fifth in the last eight days, with a total of 36 players.