Ayo Dosunmu

Wheat Hotchkiss

There's something familiar yet different about the pre-draft process for Ayo Dosunmu.

The Illinois All-American guard declared for the NBA Draft in 2020 after a standout sophomore season. COVID-19 altered the pre-draft setup a year ago, but prospects were able to meet with teams via Zoom. During those discussions, NBA scouts gave Dosunmu an honest assessment of his draft stock and told him where he needed to improve.

Dosunmu ultimately decided to withdraw from the draft and return to Illinois for his junior year, where he excelled on the court while leading the Illini to their best season in 15 years.

The 6-5 guard averaged 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 2020-21, earning numerous accolades, including first-team All-Big Ten and consensus first-team All-American honors and the Bob Cousy Award given to the best point guard in college basketball. He was the only player in the NCAA over the last 11 seasons to average 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists for a season and recorded two triple-doubles in February to join Magic Johnson as the only two players in Big Ten history to have multiple triple-doubles in conference games.

Scouts wanted to see more from Dosunmu, so he simply went out and had one of the best seasons in all of college basketball.

"I took constructive criticism and it helped me become a better player and a better person," he said. "Being able to find out where I'm not good at the time and to go into the lab and get better, I definitely applaud myself for that and the people around me for helping me make the best decision."

This year, Dosunmu is in the draft for good. His stock has risen significantly over the past season. While he might well have gone undrafted a year ago, he now has a strong chance of hearing his name called in the first round.

The pre-draft process has also returned to a more "normal" schedule this year, as teams can once again conduct workouts and interview prospects in person. Thus, Dosunmu was at the Ascension St. Vincent Center on Wednesday auditioning for the Pacers.

Dosunmu tested well at the NBA Draft Combine last month, where he measured at 6-5 and 194 pounds with just 4.9 percent body fat and a wingspan of over 6-10. He also had a 39-inch vertical, fifth best among the guards at the combine. The Chicago native said a lot of his focus over the past year was improving his strength and explosiveness to better prepare himself for the next level.

He thrived in college with the ball in his hands, converting 48.8 percent of his attempts and using a combination of his skill off the dribble and his strong frame to get into the lane and convert shots. Dosumnu improved his scoring average by 3.5 points per game as a junior, but his most noticeable growth was as a creator (increasing his assists from 3.3 as a sophomore to 5.3) and a shooter (improving his 3-point percentage from .296 to .390).

Dosunmu said that while he is "having fun" with the pre-draft process, he is also treating each stop like a job interview. He then outlined why he thinks a team should draft him.

"I'm proven of what I can do now, but I still have more potential to tap into," he said. "I'm 6-5, I can playmake, I can guard multiple positions. The NBA right now is really starting to become positionless basketball. You have so many ballhandlers out there at one time. At my size, I can guard the one, the two, or maybe even the three depending on how small the team is.

"And I also can make plays. I can isolate. The NBA is a lot of isolation and pick-and-rolls, a lot of late-shot clock situations. I thrive in those situations. So just being able to beat my man off the dribble and just go out there and playmake, I think that's my pitch to NBA teams."

Kentucky's Isaiah Jackson (left) and Villanova's Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (right) each have skillsets that could entice a team to select them in the first round. (Photo Credit: NBAE/Getty Images)

While Dosunmu might be the most familiar name to Pacers fans from his days dominating the Big Ten, two other prospects at Wednesday's workout were also potential first-round picks. In fact, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor's latest rankings list Dosunmu as the 25th-best prospect in this year's draft class. The two players ranked 24th and 26th are Kentucky's Isaiah Jackson and Villanova's Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, a pair of big men who also worked out in Indiana on Wednesday.

The 6-10 Jackson turned pro after one season at Kentucky where he averaged 8.4 points on 54 percent shooting and 6.6 rebounds in 25 games. But the Michigan native's most obvious skill is his ability to block shots.

Jackson averaged 2.6 blocks per game despite playing just 20.7 minutes per night and had some of his best defensive performances against the toughest competition. The freshman swatted eight shots against Kansas in the Champions Classic in just his third collegiate game. He also had seven blocks in 23 minutes against eventual SEC champions Alabama on Jan. 23.

Though he still needs to refine some areas of his game, including his penchant for getting into foul trouble (he fouled out of six contests last season), Jackson has the tools to be a high-energy big man. He lists Kevin Garnett as his biggest inspiration and hopes to bring a similar fire every time he takes the court.

"Shotblocking, bringing that energy, getting tip dunks, hustle plays," Jackson said of how he envisions himself contributing.

To stick in the modern NBA, Jackson will also need to expand his shooting range. He attempted just two 3-pointers at Kentucky, but hopes to show teams that he is confident in his stroke during the pre-draft process.

Kentucky has produced countless draft picks in the John Calipari era. Jackson believes he is well equipped to follow in their footsteps after a year in Lexington.

"It taught me a lot of things (like) playing tough because every game we play is like the other team's championship," he said. "So bringing it all every game and just playing with fire."

Robinson-Earl was the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2019-20, when he averaged 10.5 points on 45.4 percent shooting, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He took on a larger role last season as a sophomore and was named co-Big East Player of the Year following a campaign where he averaged a team-high 15.7 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

The 6-9, 242-pound forward's most notable attribute is his versatility on both ends of the floor. A strong defender capable of banging with bigger bodies in the post or switching onto smaller guards, Robinson-Earl also has comfort on the offensive end playing in the post or on the perimeter. He attempted nearly 150 3-pointers during his two seasons at Villanova and also possesses good passing skills for a player of his size.

Robinson-Earl is the latest player to come out of a Villanova program that has produced five first-round picks over the past four seasons, all of whom spent multiple years on campus learning from acclaimed coach Jay Wright.

"I think he's done a great job teaching me all the details, just how to be a professional on and off the court," Robinson-Earl said of Wright's influence. "Just being prepared for the most difficult situations (for) when I'm (in that) position in my future career."

As for what he can bring to an NBA team, Robinson-Earl highlighted his all-around skillset and his work ethic.

"I take a lot of pride in defense and rebounding," he said. "So being able to be out there to guard pick-and-roll, one through five. Being able to stretch the floor, be versatile on the offensive end. Being the ultimate team player and I love to win so just bringing a winning mindset."

Indiana Wesleyan Star Works Out for Home Team

Growing up in Warsaw, Ind., Kyle Mangas dreamed of one day having the chance to put on a Pacer uniform. That dream became a temporary reality on Wednesday, when the 6-4 guard from Indiana Wesleyan took the floor at the Ascension St. Vincent Center.

"It means everything," Mangas said. "Growing up watching the Pacers and coming down to games at Bankers Life is one thing. But then actually being here and getting to work out for them and see the coaching staff and the facilities...being from Indiana, we're really passionate about basketball, so it was awesome."

Mangas may have spent four years playing at the NAIA level, but he is one of the most decorated players in college basketball. He was an All-American as a freshman at Indiana Wesleyan, when he averaged 21.5 points per game and led the Wildcats to a 2018 national championship. Mangas only got better from there, increasing his scoring and assists averages every season.

He was the NAIA National Player of the Year as both a junior and senior. He amassed an absurd 3,453 career points, shattering the school record. His senior season, Mangas averaged 29.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 60.3 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range.

"There were a lot of championships and awards and that type of thing," Mangas said of his accomplished collegiate career. "But just the relationships I built with my coaches and teammates and people at the school, Indiana Wesleyan's a really special place and I'm proud to have gone there."

While he could have potentially transferred to an NCAA program, Mangas stayed four years at Indiana Wesleyan and flourished. But on Wednesday, he finally had the chance to prove that even though he played in the NAIA, he can compete with NBA-caliber talent. For most of Wednesday's workout he was matched up with Dosunmu, one of the most decorated players in Division I and a possible first-round draft pick.

"It was awesome," Mangas said. "You know we don't get the national spotlight at IWU even though it's some really good basketball. It was just fun coming in today and competing against those guys, but also having those guys on my team. It was just awesome to get the opportunity."

Mangas recently signed on to play for Men of Mackey in The Basketball Tournament, the annual single-elimination competition with a $1 million prize that draws a number of former college standouts each year. Men of Mackey is a team of primarily Purdue alumni, including Robbie Hummel, Isaac Haas, and A.J. Hammons, but they recruited Mangas to add some additional in-state talent.

As for his professional goals, Mangas will be able to make a good living playing somewhere, whether that's overseas or potentially in the G League. Or just maybe, Wednesday's workout could be the start of an eventual NBA career.

"I want to play at the highest level that I can," Mangas said. "And just prove to us that small college kids can make it, they have skill, they have talent, too. Because often times they get overlooked."

Boise State's Derrick Alston Jr. (left) and Austin Peay's Terry Taylor (right) are both turning pro after successful college careers. (Photo Credit: NBAE/Getty Images)

Athletic Wings Alston Jr. and Taylor Also Audition in Indiana

The final two prospects at Wednesday's workout were Boise State's Derrick Alston Jr. and Austin Peay's Terry Taylor. Though they may not be household names to many Pacers fans, both had accomplished college careers.

The 6-5, 230-pound Taylor was a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and finished his career as Austin Peay's all-time leading scorer with 2,488 points. The lefty scored over 20 points per game in each of his final three seasons, including 21.6 points per game as a senior.

Despite his modest height, Taylor was arguably the best rebounder in college basketball last season. He collected 11.1 rebounds per game and led the entire NCAA with 20 double-doubles.

Taylor credited his coaching staff with helping him improve as a rebounder after hammering home his freshman year that he should always go to the opposite side of the rim than where the ball is shot. That positioning adjustment combined with his motor allowed him to excel on the glass.

"Overall it's just wanting it more, having the heart to just go in there and rebound with the big trees," Taylor said.

Alston, meanwhile, initially walked on at Boise State and scored a total of just seven points over 11 appearances as a redshirt freshman in 2017-18. But he moved into the rotation the next year, averaging 13.4 points per game and led the Broncos in scoring each of the past two seasons.

The 6-9, 190-pound forward averaged 17 points and 3.7 rebounds as a senior while shooting 38.2 percent from 3-point range on over six attempts per game.

"I think my shooting ability is something that can translate right away," Alston said. "I think my length and athleticism will definitely help me stand out on the defensive end and also on the glass."

While he is still lanky, Alston has bulked up considerably over the past few years. He entered college at just 148 pounds, but has steadily added to his frame, something that he will need to continue to do to make it at the next level.

Alston does have a good mentor during the pre-draft process. His father was drafted by the 76ers in the second round in 1994 and enjoyed a lengthy professional career in the NBA and overseas. After retiring in 2012, the elder Derrick Alston served as an assistant both with the Houston Rockets and in the G League and is currently the head coach of the Westchester Knicks, New York's G League affiliate.

"He's been great for me, just giving me a little insight to how this process is," Alston Jr. said of his father's advice. "But he's just been telling me to be myself and just have fun and not put too much pressure on myself. Obviously you're kind of in the fight for your life right now, but at the end of the day it's still basketball."

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Dosunmu Used NBA Feedback to Elevate His Game

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Height: 6-5
Weight: 194
Position: PG/SG
College: Illinois
Age: 21

2020-2021 Season Stats
PPG: 20.1
RPG: 6.3
APG: 5.3
BLK: 0.2
STL: 1.1

2020-21 JUNIOR
USA Today National Player of the Year...Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year...NCAA Consensus First-Team All-American...Wooden Award Finalist...Naismith Trophy Finalist...Oscar Robertson Trophy Finalist...Wooden Award All-American Team...Associated Press First-Team All-American, the first-ever Illini voted to first team by AP...NABC First-Team All-American...USBWA First-Team All-American...Sporting News unanimous First-Team All-American...Sports Illustrated unanimous First-Team All-American...CBS Sports First-Team All-American...USA Today First-Team All-American...Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player and All-Tournament Team...USBWA District V Player of the Year and First-Team All-District V...Unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten...NABC First-Team All-District 7...Only player in the NCAA over the last 11 seasons to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and five assists...Joined Michigan State's Magic Johnson as the only two players in Big Ten history with multiple triple-doubles in league play...No. 6 in kenpom.com National Player of the Year standings...Naismith Trophy Player of the Week (2/8)...Four-Time Big Ten Player of the Week (12/14, 12/28, 2/1 & 2/8)...Ranks 12th on Illinois career scoring list with 1,504 points, and No. 2 among players after three years...Concluded junior season with scoring average of 20.1 points, the highest by an Illini in the last 30 seasons
21st in the NCAA in scoring (20.1 ppg)...Second in the Big Ten in assists (5.3 apg)...13th in the B1G in rebounding (6.3 rpg)...13th nationally in kenpom offensive rating (110.8)...Seventh nationally with four 30-plus point performances...Sixth double-double of season with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in NCAA Tournament first-round win over Drexel (3/19)...16 points and nine rebounds in Big Ten Tournament title game victory over No. 9 Ohio State (3/14)...18 points, game-high nine assists, and 7 boards in Big Ten Tournament semifinal win over No. 5 Iowa (3/13)...23 points in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Rutgers (3/12)...Missed three games after being injured on a flagrant 2 foul (2/23), then returned for final game of regular season, scoring 19 points on 7-10 FG in win at No. 7 Ohio State (3/6)...17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks at Michigan State (2/23)...Second triple-double in four games – and fourth in school history – with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in win at Minnesota (2/20)...Set career scoring high in a Big Ten game with 31 points in win at Nebraska (2/12)...Third triple-double in school history with 21 points, career-high 12 rebounds, and career-high 12 assists in win over No. 19 Wisconsin (2/6)...Recorded the nation’s only triple-double against a ranked opponent on the season...25 points on 11-18 FG and 3-3 from 3-point range in win over No. 7 Iowa (1/29)...22 points and five assists vs. No. 21 Ohio State (1/16)...23 points and 8 rebounds vs. Maryland (1/10)...30 points on 11-17 shooting, 4-5 from three, and 5 assists in win over Indiana (12/26)...30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in win at Penn State (12/23)...Fourth career double-double with 22 points, 11 boards and 6 assists at No. 19 Rutgers (12/20)...Career-high 36 points at Missouri (12/12)...18 points and career-high 12 boards in win at No. 10 Duke (12/8)...Hit game-winning free throws with 2.3 seconds left vs. Ohio (11/27), finishing with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists...28 points with career high 5 threes and 10 boards in season opener vs. North Carolina A&T (11/25)...Preseason honors: Wooden Award Watch List, Naismith Trophy Watch List, NABC Div. I Player of the Year Watch List, Bob Cousy Award Watch List, AP All-America Team, First-Team All-American (CBS Sports, Blue Ribbon Yearbook, The Athletic, Athlon Sports), unanimous All-Big Ten Team

2019-20 SOPHOMORE
Illinois Athlete of the Year, the first basketball player to earn the school's top athletic award since Deron Williams in 2005...First-team All-Big Ten (media)...First-team All-Big Ten (AP)...USBWA All-District V Team...Second-team All-Big Ten (coaches)...NABC second-team All-District 7...Naismith Trophy Midseason Team...Big Ten Player of the Week (Feb. 24)
Jay Bilas Co-National Player of the Week (Jan. 27)...Started all 30 games he participated in, missing one to injury...Led team and ranked fifth in the B1G in scoring at 16.6 ppg...Scored at least nine points in all but one game, with 26 double-figure outings and eight 20+ point performances...Averaged 19.7 points over the final six games, and 18.1 points over his last 15 games...During his last 15 games, scored at least 15 points 13 times and was the team’s leading scorer 10 times...First Illini player in 20 years to lead the team in scoring in back-to-back seasons as a freshman and sophomore...Top guard listed in the B1G field goal percentage rankings at 48.4% to stand sixth...Led team in assists, ranking 11th in B1G with 3.3 apg...Seventh in the B1G in free throw shooting at 75.5%...Team-high 17 points with seven rebounds and game-high 8 assists in win over No. 18 Iowa, hitting pull-up jumper with :31 left to put Illini up four (March 8)...Game-high 21 points on 9-14 FG with game-high five assists at No. 19 Ohio State (March 5)...Game-high 17 points and hit 3-pointer with 1:28 left and two free throws with :4.5 left to clinch win over Indiana (March 1)...21 points with six rebounds and four assists in win at Northwestern (Feb. 27)...Game-high 24 points, including floater with 16 seconds left to seal win at No. 9 Penn State (Feb. 18)...Team-high 17 points, season-high nine rebounds and three steals vs. Michigan State (Feb. 11)...Season-high 27 points and hit game-winning jumper with :00.5 left at Michigan (Jan. 25)...First career double-double with 18 points and season-high 11 assists in win at Purdue (Jan. 21)...Game-high 18 points with seven rebounds in win over Rutgers, scoring Illini’s last eight points in final two minutes (Jan. 11)...Team-high 18 points with six assists and hit step-back 3-pointer with :46 left to clinch win at Wisconsin (Jan. 8)...Team-high 18 points with eight rebounds at No. 14 Michigan State (Jan. 2)...19 points and seven boards vs. North Carolina A&T (Dec. 29)...Game-high 21 points on 9-15 FG vs. Missouri (Dec. 21)...14 points and eight rebounds in win over No. 5 Michigan (Dec. 11)...Game-high 24 points on 8-12 FG with five assists and career-high four steals vs. Lindenwood (Nov. 26)...Team-high 20 points on 9-13 FG vs. Hampton (Nov. 23)...21 points on 8-11 FG with seven rebounds in opener vs. Nicholls (Nov. 5)...Preseason Honors: Wooden and Naismith Award watch lists, Cousy Award candidate (top point guard), third-team All-America (Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Dick Vitale), fourth-team All-America (Blue Ribbon Year Book), All-Big Ten (conference media, Blue Ribbon, Athlon)

2018-19 FRESHMAN
Big Ten All-Freshman Team...Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (coaches & media)...Illinois Freshman of the Year...Two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week – Feb. 11 & Feb. 18...First true freshman in school history to lead the Illini in scoring for the season, averaging 13.8 points (16th in Big Ten)...Recorded the fourth-best scoring average by a freshman in Illini history...Scoring average in league play increased to 14.7 ppg (10th in B1G, second among freshmen)...23 games scoring in double figures with seven performances of 20 or more points
Led Illini in assists (3.3 apg, eighth in B1G)...Third on team in rebounding (4.0 rpg) and second in steals (1.3 spg, eighth in B1G)...UI’s top scorer in 14 of the last 21 games, averaging 15.2 points (320)...18 points, six rebounds, four assists and season-high three steals in debut vs. Evansville (Nov. 8)...Season-high 25 points on 9-15 shooting, including 3-4 from three, in second appearance vs. Georgetown (Nov. 13)...Game-high 19 points on 8-12 shooting and 3-4 on threes vs. Xavier (Nov. 21)...Season-high nine assists vs. Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 25)...Career-high nine rebounds in back-to-back games vs. Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 25) and at Notre Dame (Nov. 27)...Led team in scoring in six-straight games from Dec. 29-Jan. 20, averaging 20.0 points (120)...21 points and eight boards vs. Florida Atlantic (Dec. 29)...20 points with career-high tying four 3-pointers at Indiana (Jan. 3)...18 points at Northwestern (Jan. 6)...Game-high 23 points on 10-16 shooting with seven boards and two blocks vs. No. 2 Michigan (Jan. 10)...Game-high 23 points on 9-13 shooting with 3-4 three-pointers vs. Minnesota (Jan. 16)...15 points and six assists at Iowa (Jan. 20)...Game-high 20 points and six assists in win over No. 13 Maryland at Madison Square Garden (Jan. 26)...Game-high 24 points with four treys and season-high tying three steals in win over No. 9 Michigan State (Feb. 5). Broke 68-all tie with back-to-back 3-pointers at 2:32 and 1:54, propelling Illini to victory...18 points vs. Penn State (Feb. 23)...16 points with three 3-pointers and five rebounds vs. Indiana (March 7)
16 points, team-high eight rebounds and two steals at Penn State (March 10)

HIGH SCHOOL
Helped lead Team USA to gold medal at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in June, averaging 9.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds during the tournament...Five-star recruit ranked No. 24 by the recruiting services consensus index, checking in at No. 27 by 247Sports, No. 28 by Rivals and No. 34 by ESPN...Averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.7 steals as a senior, leading Morgan Park to a second-straight IHSA Class 3A championship...Consensus first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Champaign-News Gazette and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA)...All-Area and first-team All-City pick by the Sun-Times for the second straight season...Selected to participate in the Jordan Brand Classic and Iverson Classic national all-star games...Set the record for most points in a 3A state title game with 28 in the victory over Springfield Southeast (March 17, 2018)...Set the single-game scoring record in the Las Vegas Tarkanian Classic with a career-high 60 points in a win over Wilson High of Washington D.C. (Dec. 22, 2017)...First-team All-State by the AP, Sun-Times, News-Gazette and IBCA and second-team All-State by the Tribune as a junior, averaging 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals...High school coach was Nick Irvin...Played for the Mac Irvin Fire AAU program, coached by Mike Irvin

PERSONAL
Born Jan. 17, 2000...Majoring in communication...Parents are Quam and Jamarra Dosunmu...Has two older sisters and an older brother...Proudest sports achievement was winning a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship...Favorite player is Kobe Bryant...Favorite food is chicken and macaroni and cheese...Favorite restaurant is Portillo’s...Lists his father as the person who has most influenced his basketball career, “He instilled a work ethic in me that I carry every day.”...Chose Illinois because, “It is the best place for me to focus on books and basketball, to help us win and represent my home state.”

Ayo Dosunmu

Dosunmu Used NBA Feedback to Elevate His Game

2021 Draft Workouts: Ayo Dosunmu

Ayo Dosunmu: 2021 Draft Prospect