Sixers 2008 Draft Center

Draft Workout: Darrel Arthur, Alexis Ajinca, Frank Elegar, Rob Ferguson
June 24, 2008

The Philadelphia 76ers held what might be their final pre-draft workout on Tuesday at PCOM. Kansas’ Darrell Arthur, France’s Alexis Ajinca, Drexel’s Frank Elegar and Saint Joseph’s Rob Ferguson were all in attendance. Those watching the players included Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider, Sixers President and GM Ed Stefanski, Sr. Vice President and Assistant GM Tony DiLeo, Director of Player Personnel Courtney Witte, Head Coach Maurice Cheeks and his entire staff.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Kansas forward Darrell Arthur is projected to be selected anywhere from a lottery pick to a mid-first rounder, depending on the source. Because of that margin, Arthur said he wanted to workout for as many teams as possible, and he thinks he would be a good fit in the Sixers up-tempo style.

“I think I can bring energy to them, bring them a big spark, play some defense on the perimeter and inside,” Arthur said.

Arthur was named to the First Team All-Big 12 this season after averaging 12.8 ppg, 6.25 rpg, and 1.3 bpg, while shooting 54.3% from the floor and 70.4% from the line. The sophomore also played a huge role in helping Kansas win the National Championship, scoring 20 points (9-13 FG) while pulling down nine rebounds.

“He fits the way we play,” DiLeo said. “He’s an athletic player, he gets up and down the floor, he can hit an outside shot, he can post-up. He’s been a winner, in high school he won and in college he won, so he shows a lot of intangibles.”

Currently Arthur is being projected an undersize power forward who has the potential to play a three in the NBA down the road. DiLeo doesn’t feel that his size will effect him in his transition to the league.

“The way the league is going now a lot of teams are downsizing their fours, like the Rashard Lewis’, the Lamar Odom’s," DiLeo said. "So a lot of fours aren’t huge anymore, they are more athletic, teams are playing more up-tempo, so I don’t think size is going to matter for him.”

Arthur agreed with the assessment.

“I can use [my size] to my advantage mismatch wise, take them out to the perimeter and drive or shoot an outside jumper,” Arthur said.

Arthur will be in New York on Thursday for the draft, where he expects to be taken in the lottery picks.

French Connection

France’s Alexis Ajinca continues to rise on draft boards across the nation. The seven-footer played for France’s U-19 National Team where he helped lead them to a bronze medal finish at the 2007 U-19 World Championships. DiLeo says there are obvious reasons why his stock is rising.

“He is 7'1" and very skilled. He has a great feel for the game, he can shoot the ball, he can post up," DiLeo said. "The only thing that is a little against him right now is his body that he hasn’t filled out, so he needs to get stronger; but he has a huge wingspan, really knows how to play, great feel and instincts for the game.”

Ajinca is listed at 220 pounds, but his athletic gifts and 7'7" wingspan should more than make up for that at this point in his career. Plus, he just turned 20 in May, so his young body has time to grow.

Ajinca says he has wanted to play in the NBA for a long time and can’t wait for his chance. However he thinks there are differences between Europe and the NBA.

“In Europe it’s play together, play for your team and your system. If you are open you shoot it,” Ajinca said. “The NBA is not like that, sometimes you play one-on-one and sometimes you play team ball.”

His fellow countrymen Boris Diaw and DJ Mbenga gave him solid advice going in to workouts and preparing for life in the NBA.

“They told me to play hard, play good defense, and dunk every ball because thats the rule.”

Ajinca said he's excited for the NBA because he feels the one-on-one game and up and down pace will suit his skills. The draft boards are projecting him to go in the mid-to-late first round.

Philly Pride

Drexel’s Frank Elegar has been making the rounds this summer, working out for Houston, Portland, New Orleans, and Washington before coming to Philadelphia to workout for the hometown Sixers. He says it feels good to finally be home.

“I have been traveling all around the country as of late so it feels good to be back home in Philly.”

Elegar is projected as a mid-to-late second rounder on some draft boards, but definitely thinks he can make the NBA because of his skill-set.

“Ability to shoot the 15-18 foot mid-range jumper, my athleticism, my length, and my quickness.”

Elegar said the chance to work out against top prospects like Arthur and Ajinca helped him measure where he is as a player. But going against top players is nothing new for Elegar, who played for the U.S. Virgin Islands National Team.

“I played at a high level, I have showed a lot of teams not only in the NBA but overseas in Europe that I can play and perform with a lot of professionals that come and play in big tournaments like the Pan American Games and the Tournament of Americas.”

At Drexel Elegar was named to the Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association as both a junior and senior.

:24 SECOND NOTES

Also attending the workouts today at PCOM were contingents from the Toronto Raptors (17th overall pick) and Cleveland Cavaliers (19th overall pick), which speaks to the difficulty some teams have been having as they try to get players in for workouts

At the gym working out this morning for the Sixers were Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, Rodney Carney, Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith and Herb Hill.

Expect to see Pat Carroll, the 2005 Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year, on the Sixers Summer League Roster in Vegas.