by Roven Yau
Special to raptors.com
June 8, 2006

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – For 60 of the top-prospects entering this year’s NBA Draft, the first full day of work at the 2006 Pre-Draft Camp was a breath of fresh air of sorts as the on-court action got underway Wednesday in Florida

Darius Washington is looking for a first-round promise. (NBAE/Getty Images)

The camp, which is being held at Diseny’s Wide World of Sports for the first time, offered general managers, coaches and scouts from around the league their first opportunity to see prospects in full-court action and the players came ready to impress.

The 60 prospects invited to attend the camp were divided into six teams and played two 20-minute half games throughout the day. The camp also includes morning drill sessions and private workouts in the afternoon, but the prospects in five-on-five situations is what everyone wants to see

“I wish we could see them play five-on-five all the time, because the game is played five-on-five.” Raptors director of player personnel Jim Kelly said. “We (Bryan Colangelo and Kelly) were talking beforehand that some guys just don’t stand out in one-on-one settings. Guys who can move without the ball tend to be better, but the rules are what they are.”

GETTING TO THE POINT: With two second-round picks, the Raptors are looking hard at adding depth in the backcourt. Playing in his own backyard, Orlando native and point guard Darius Washington turned heads during his session by posting a team-high 14 points on 6-8 shooting. Even more impressive, Washington turned the ball over just once through 19 minutes of play.

“Everybody wants to score,” Washington said, “So I try to be as vocal as possible on offence and defence. The private workouts are for my own benefit. These games are where my point-guard skills kick in.”

Washington is a sophomore at Memphis and has yet to sign with an agent. His performance on Wednesday was reviewed positively by Kelly.

“He’s shooting the ball, I thought, much better than he did during the regular season,” Kelly said. “He also ran the team really well today. These games are not exactly like running a team, but you still have to distribute the ball.”

A total of 16 college-eligible players are participating at the pre-draft camp. They have until June 18 to withdraw from the draft.

Popeye Jones was a fan favourite in his time in Toronto. (NBAE/Getty Images)

BABY BOOMER: Among the early entry candidates in Orlando that have signed with agents is 6-8 power forward Marcus Slaughter of San Diego State.

Slaughter got off to slow start, missing his first five shots, but recovered in the second half with a pair of monster dunks courtesy of good positioning on the offensive glass. Slaughter led his team with 11 points and four steals.

“We talked to him for a little bit this morning,” Kelly confirmed. “He’s stuck between positions (forward and guard). He twisted his ankle yesterday and I wasn’t expecting him to play today, but he showed some athletic ability.”

Maryland’s Nik Caner-Medley, a forward, also had a big day with 22 points and five rebounds.

OH CANADA: Toronto native Denham Brown was invited to the pre-draft camp and shined with 12 points and three rebounds in his game. Brown went 6-for-10 from the field in 20 minutes.

“I haven’t played in five-on-five competition in a while,” Brown said, “So I’m just getting back into that swing. I think everyone is used to playing full-court and some guys really pride themselves in performing in game situations. This is a step in another direction where guys want to be.

MISC: Former Raptor forward Popeye Jones is participating in the camp as an assistant coach to Scott Layden (Jazz).