Fredette biggest of big names due Tuesday

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

May 30, 2011

Jimmer Fredette is the biggest name but hardly the only marquee attraction due in for the Pacers' second pre-draft workout session Tuesday in Conseco Fieldhouse.

The consensus national Player of the Year after leading Division I scorers at 28.9 for Brigham Young last season, Fredette headlines a cast that also includes Duke stalwart Nolan Smith, Kansas' top scorer Marcus Morris, Tennesee freshman standout Tobias Harris, Florida big man Vernon Macklin and former high school star-turned international curiosity Jeremy Tyler.

Despite his flawless college pedigree, Fredette (6-1, 195, senior) is not widely projected as a lottery pick due to questions about his overall athleticism and ability to create his own shot and defend at the NBA level. Nonetheless, he was by far the most productive scorer in the nation and could prove to be a dynamic point guard prospect.

Like Fredette, Smith (6-3, 190, senior) was a highly productive collegian who needs to prove his position in the NBA. He handled the point while Kyrie Irving was injured but spent most of his career as a shooting guard. He shouldered a heavy load of the Duke offense last season and produced 20.6 points, 5.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds.

Morris (6-9, 235, junior) led Kansas in scoring the past three seasons and continually developed his game. Primarily a post player as a freshman, he shot 34.2 percent from the 3-point line last season while averaging 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Harris (6-8, 225, freshman) was impressive in his only year with the Volunteers, averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, showing excellent versatility and excellent instincts for the game, but like Morris needs to show he has the ability to hang with NBA big men inside.

Macklin (6-10, 244, senior) spent two seasons as Roy Hibbert's teammate at Georgetown before transferring to Florida, where he averaged in double figures his last two seasons, including 11.6 last year when he shot .593 from the field but .451 from the free-throw line.

Tyler (6-11, 260) caused a national sensation two years ago when he announced his intention to skip his senior season at San Diego High School in order to begin his professional career abroad. Things did not go as planned. He played just 10 games in Israel his first season before quitting the team. Tyler signed with Tokyo Apache, where he was coached by former Pacers mentor Bob Hill and appeared in 33 games, averaging 15.4 minutes, 9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds.