Prospects Work Out For Wolves: Thursday Morning
Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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The final day of workouts provided the Wolves with a view of the most talented collection of prospects from the pre-draft sessions this week including Chase Budinger and Sam Young.
Workout React:
--Budinger is the perfect fit for a team in desperate need of improved 3-point shooting. After the workouts, Budinger displayed maturity in his interaction with the media. The Wolves should be attracted to Budinger's skill set as an incredible shooter and underrated passer. Minnesota may have some issues in drafting Budinger with the No. 18 or No. 28 pick due to his weaknesses on the defensive side of the floor.
--Young can play up to three positions while bringing a strong defensive mentality to the team that selects him in the upcoming draft. James Posey is the closest comparison to the type of game Young projects at the next level. In my opinion, Young should be much higher on the mock drafts because he offers incredible upside and versatility.
David Kahn Thursday Morning AudioPresident of basketball operations David Kahn addressed the media for the final time this week following a long week of evaluations.
"It's been really helpful, to see a lot of players in a very short window of time. I've also managed at home to watch a lot of DVDs not only of our team but also some other people we haven't seen yet. It's been so efficient; the ability to walk downstairs from the office and then walk back up, it's just great. It's been a good week."
Kahn will now ramp up the preparation for the June 25 draft. The Wolves front office staff will hit the road this next week and then the team will host more group workouts to target the No. 6 pick.
"Well, I think almost all the people who're coming in though will still be in a group setting, so we'll be seeing people in much the same concept or format starting late next week. A lot of our staff now is hitting the road to the Treviso Euroleague camp this weekend. We have some staff doing some campus visits for background research, and the week after that there's an under-19 thing that's important in Colorado Springs, but at least for starting tonight, I'm going to feel like a loner. I'm about the only one who will be here. We have a bunch of guys coming in late next week and I think some more coming in the following week."
Kahn and the staff will also travel to college campuses for a more personal look at the prospects.
"I think that there will hopefully be more depth than you can accomplish in a phone call. I've always felt that no matter what the situation, if you visit with people face-to-face or one-on-one, you just, I think it's more helpful. The phone is still a very valuable tool, I don't want to discount it completely, but I think a face-to-face with a broader range of people is helpful."
Following the intense workout sessions this past week, Kahn assesses his progress at this point.
"Information. Just making certain that we have at arm's length all the stuff that I think we'll need not only as it pertains to the draft as we start making some decisions, but regarding trades, free agency, everything, and making sure we have as much information as possible at arm's length."
The following players participated in the Thursday morning session:
Chase Budinger (Ht. 6-7, Wt. 218) finished the season second on Arizona with an 18.0 points per game scoring average, while also posting 6.2 rebounds in a team high 37.6 minutes per game. He shot 48.0 percent from the field and 80.1 percent from the free throw line, and was named to the First Team All-Pac 10.
Chase Budinger Audio"I just felt that an extra year could help me. Confidence-wise, maturity-wise I felt I needed another year to be able to play at this next level. I feel a lot more confident. I feel like I'm ready to play at the next level."
"At the next level, I feel that I'm going to have to put the ball on the floor, create for others, take people off the dribble, and that's something I'm going to have to work on and get better at."
"They're an up-and-coming team [Wolves]. They've got a lot of young guys, they've got guys that have really improved over the years, and it's a great city. I've never been out here for a game, but I've heard the fans are pretty good out here, and I think they could use an outside shooter."
"With the more spacing there is, I feel I'm able to create more. People can find me on the outside shooting, but I just feel that I can get in the middle of the lane and be able to create for others and finish."
Sam Young (Ht. 6-6, Wt. 220)) led Pittsburgh with 19.2 points on 50.2 percent shooting in 31.8 minutes per game last season. He was named to the All-Big East First Team while also being chosen as a Third Team All-American by the AP. Sam Young Audio"I stayed in school for a couple reasons. I feel that I matured as a person and as a player. I think I got to work on a couple things in my game I wanted to showcase, and that's the reason I stayed in school."
"Definitely. I feel like I can guard multiple positions, I play multiple positions, and I have athletic ability, and I'm mature as a player. I think that means a lot for this draft, because there's a lot of young guys."
Wayne Ellington (Ht. 6-4, Wt. 200) played a team-high 30.4 minutes per game last season for North Carolina, averaging 15.8 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor. He played in all 38 games and reached double digits in scoring in all but four games.
Tyler Smith (Ht. 6-7, Wt. 215) scored 17.4 points and grabbed 5.8 rebounds in 32.6 minutes per game last season for Tennessee. He led the Volunteers in scoring and assists (3.4 apg), and was a unanimous First Team All-SEC selection.
Derrick Brown (Ht. 6-8, Wt. 227) grabbed a team-best 9.6 rebounds per game last season for the DePaul. He was third on the team with 12.2 points in 32.1 minutes, while shooting 52.7 from the field.
Jeff Pendergraph (Ht. 6-9, Wt. 240) averaged a team-best 8.2 rebounds per game last season for Arizona State while scoring 14.5 points in 32.5 minutes. He led the nation with a .660 shooting percentage from the floor and earned First Team All-Pac 10 honors.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION RECAP
TUESDAY MORNING SESSION RECAP
MONDAY AFTERNOON SESSION RECAP
MONDAY MORNING SESSION RECAP
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