Josh Bannan

Wheat Hotchkiss

Tuesday's pre-draft workout at the Ascension St. Vincent Center was unique. While most group workouts feature a mix of guards and big men, Tuesday's workout featured six forwards that are all listed at 6-7 or taller.

The two headliners in that group were the two youngest players: 18-year-olds G.G. Jackson and Noah Clowney, two athletic forwards that turned pro after one season at SEC schools.

Jackson is the youngest player in this year's draft class (he won't turn 19 until Dec. 17). He was just 17 at the start of last season at South Carolina, but nonetheless led the Gamecocks in scoring at 15.4 points per game and also tallied 5.9 rebounds per contest.

The 6-9, 215-pound forward out of Columbia, South Carolina wasn't even supposed to be in college last season. He was the top-ranked player in the high school class of 2023, but decided to reclassify and enroll early at his hometown university.

Jackson showed flashes of why he was so highly regarded over his lone year in college, scoring 20 or more points in 11 games, including a season-high 30 points against 16th-ranked Auburn on Jan. 21.

But there were also growing pains, as would be expected from a player that young. The Gamecocks went just 11-21 on the season and 4-14 in conference play. Jackson was clearly their best player and at times forced shots. He shot just 38.4 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from 3-point range while attempting over five threes per game. And while he demonstrated an ability to create for himself, he averaged just 0.8 assists to 2.7 turnovers per game.

"You have to be consistent," Jackson said about what he learned from his time at South Carolina. "When times get hard, you always have to have a level head and stay calm."

Still, Jackson's age and physical ability are enticing to NBA teams. The Pacers are looking for another playmaker that could potentially slot into the power forward rotation and Jackson seemingly fits the bill. He is a ready-made scorer and has the potential to grow into a plus defender capable of guarding several positions with his athleticism and nearly 7-foot wingspan.

"The sky's the limit to be honest," Jackson said. "There was a lot of players in college whether they'd be 20, 21, 22, etc. They were considered elite players and I feel like I definitely matched their level. I imagine where will my game be when I get to their age."

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: G.G. Jackson One-on-One Interview (June 6, 2023)

Given his status in high school, Jackson has dealt with lofty expectations from a young age. Playing under that microscope already could make him better suited to adapt to the mental rigors of an NBA season.

"There's been pressure, but I never really saw it as pressure," Jackson said Tuesday. "Once the ball goes in the air for tipoff, I'm pretty relaxed and calm and I'm looking to have fun and play basketball."

Jackson was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, as was Clowney, who averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds in a supporting role for an Alabama team that won the SEC regular season and tournament titles and earned the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The 6-10, 210-pound Clowney is not much older than Jackson, as he turns 19 in July. He possesses the type of skillset that teams look for in modern NBA big men, a good athlete capable of running the floor, catching lobs, and protecting the rim.

With a reported 7-2 wingspan, Clowney pulled down nearly eight rebounds and blocked almost a shot per game despite playing just 25.4 minutes per contest. He was the third-leading scorer on the best team in the country during the regular season, a top scoring option after likely top-three pick and fellow freshman Brandon Miller.

Clowney could also be able to help space the floor. He attempted over three 3-pointers per game. He converted them at just a 28.3 percent clip, but Clowney said Tuesday that his biggest focus in the pre-draft process is demonstrating to teams that he is a better shooter than his college percentage indicated.

His physical attributes suggest that Clowney could prove to be a versatile defender. He mentioned Tuesday that he studies players like Pacers center Myles Turner and Memphis forward Jaren Jackson Jr., the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for 2022-23.

Like Jackson, Clowney enters the NBA with confidence that he can contribute to winning quickly despite his age.

"I've got a high ceiling," he said. "...Whatever you need. I guard, I shoot. Whatever you need me to do is what I do."

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Noah Clowney One-on-One Interview (June 6, 2023)

Both Jackson and Clowney will hear their names called at some point on draft night (June 22 in Brooklyn), likely in the first round. The Pacers have the 26th and 29th picks near the end of the round, though one or both may be off the board by the time Indiana is on the clock.

Wherever they're drafted, it will be a monumental day for both players. Even though they weren't born until 2004 (during Rick Carlisle's first stint as Pacers head coach), making it to the NBA is nonetheless a culmination of a lifelong dream, even if lifelong feels like a bit of an oxymoron.

"I never thought I would have made it this far in basketball," Jackson said about the prospect of being drafted. "But I stuck with the grind, prayed a lot, developed a pretty good relationship with God, and definitely listened to my parents, and I'm here today. To hear my name get called, it's going to be definitely a lot of emotions."

Local Product Gross Goes from NAIA to NBA Workout

For Alex Gross, simply getting the chance to work out for the Pacers was a dream come true.

Gross grew up an hour outside Indianapolis in the town of Hope (population: a little over 2,000). He played at Hauser High School before moving on to Olivet Nazarene University, an NAIA school in Bourbonnais, Ill.

He had a tremendous career at that level, amassing over 2,000 career points over four years at Olivet Nazarene. As a senior in 2021-22, he recorded three triple-doubles and had another three games in which he scored 40 or more points, earning All-American honors for the second straight season.

Gross elected to move up to the Division I level for his final year of eligibility, playing for Morehead State last season as a graduate student. The 6-10, 250-pound center adjusted well to the step up in competition, starting all 34 games for the Eagles and averaging 12 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2 blocks while shooting 57.2 percent from the field on a team that won the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title.

Tuesday was another step up in competition for Gross as it was his first NBA workout, but it was an opportunity that he relished.

"I was telling my family yesterday it's just kind of surreal," Gross said. "Growing up watching the Pacers, being from an hour south of here, it's just an amazing opportunity. God blesses me in crazy ways sometimes. It was super fun. I really enjoyed the whole morning, everything that came with it."

Gross remains proud of his roots. The Pacers have invited a handful of NAIA players to pre-draft workouts over the years, including former Indiana Wesleyan star Kyle Mangas in 2021.

"Just to represent the NAIA level-type players is honestly an honor," Gross said. "There's a lot of good talent at that level as well. Just to get this recognition and play for them was a nice honor."

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Alex Gross One-on-One Interview (June 6, 2023)

Bagley, Bannan, Shumate Round Out Tuesday's Group

The final three prospects at Tuesday's workout were Arizona State's Marcus Bagley, Montana's Josh Bannan, and Toledo's J.T. Shumate.

Bagley, the younger brother of former second overall pick Marvin Bagley III, is a bit of a mystery to NBA scouts, simply because there isn't much game tape from his time in college.

The younger Bagley played in just 17 total games over three seasons in college, including just five the past two seasons. He averaged 10.8 points and 6.2 rebounds over 12 games as a freshman and flirted with the draft in 2021 before electing to return to school. Bagley suffered a season-ending injury just three games into his sophomore campaign, then appeared in just two games as a junior before being suspended for off-court issues.

Given that limited sample size, Bagley knows that teams will weigh his performance in simulated game action in workouts more heavily. He also knows he will get questions about what transpired in college and is eager to show how he's grown.

"I think I matured a little bit off the court, especially after this past year," Bagley said. "It was a tough time. I learned a lot about myself off the court and ultimately it helped me on the court."

Bagley has been working out with his brother, who currently plays for the Pistons, in Miami.

"Every time I leave, he tells me to handle business," the younger Bagley said. "Just really just staying patient and don't expect too much. Just go in, work, get better every day and eventually basketball will take care of itself."

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Marcus Bagley One-on-One Interview (June 6, 2023)

Bannan, a 6-10 forward from Melbourne, Australia, turned pro after three seasons at Montana. He was an All-Big Sky first team selection as a junior, when he averaged 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from 3-point range.

"I am a very versatile forward," Bannan said. "Ultra competitive. And I'm going to leave everything I got out there. Can shoot it, can handle the ball. And really just a fiery competitor. Going to rebound, play aggressive."

Bannan actually signed with the Brisbane Bullets in Australia's National Basketball League in April. He will play in the NBL next season, where he will be teammates with former NBA center Aron Baynes, but is going through the pre-draft process to continue his development with hopes of earning an invite from an NBA team to Summer League.

"There is nothing I take more pride in than being from Australia," Bannan said. "My ultimate goal in basketball and one of my goals in my life is to represent Australia (on the national team). I would take great pride in that opportunity."

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Josh Bannan One-on-One Interview (June 6, 2023)

Shumate, a 6-7 forward, started his college career at Division II Walsh University before transferring to Toledo. He had three highly successful seasons for the Rockets and was named first team All-MAC as a senior, when he averaged 16 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Shumate was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball over the past three seasons, shooting 55.4 percent from the floor and 43.7 percent from 3-point range over 92 games at Toledo.

There's always a place for shooters in the modern NBA and Shumate is hoping that can be his ticket to the next level. He sees some similarities in his journey to Heat guard Max Strus, who also started his college career at the Division II level (at Lewis University) and went undrafted in 2019 out of DePaul but is now starting for Miami in the NBA Finals.

Beyond his shooting, Shumate hopes to show he can contribute in a couple other areas.

"I can guard various positions," he said. "I'm more versatile than people think I am. And just that I'm going to bring positive energy as much as I can."

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: J.T. Shumate One-on-One Interview (June 6, 2023)

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G.G. Jackson, Noah Clowney Offer Tantalizing Potential

Montana forward Josh Bannan discusses how playing college basketball helped his development and how proud he is to represent Australia. Pacers draft coverage is presented by NerdWallet.

Note: Bannan has elected to withdraw from the 2023 NBA Draft.

Height: 6-10Weight: 222Position: FCollege: MontanaAge: 22

2022-23 Season StatsPPG: 15.0RPG: 8.5APG: 3.6BLK: 0.5STL: 0.7

2022-23 (Junior):&nbsp;All-Big Sky Conference first team… Zootown Classic MVP… CoSIDA Academic All-America third team for second year in a row… Academic All-Big Sky Conference for the third year in a row… Big Sky Player of the Week on Nov. 22…&nbsp;Started all 31 games for Montana, averaging 34.1 minutes per game… averaged 15.0 points per game to rank second on Montana and 11th&nbsp;in the Big Sky… led the Grizzlies and ranked third in the conference with 8.5 rebounds per game… also led Montana in assists, ranking fifth in the league with 3.6 per game… ranked eighth in the Big Sky in assist/turnover ratio at 1.4… his 34.1 minutes per game were the eighth most in the Big Sky… ended the season with eight double-doubles, the fourth most in the Big Sky and tied for 87th&nbsp;in the NCAA… ranked 43rd&nbsp;in the NCAA in defensive rebounds per game with 6.4… ranked 75th&nbsp;in the NCAA and fourth in the Big Sky with 265 total rebounds… was an efficient scorer for Montana, making 49.9 percent of his field goals to rank fourth in the league and 98th&nbsp;in the country… he had five games with at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, which was tied for the fourth-most in the country… scored his 1,000th&nbsp;career point against Weber State (1/12) to become the 35th&nbsp;Grizzly to ever reach the milestone… finished his Grizzly career with 1,191 points to rank 20th&nbsp;all-time… one of just 14 players in Montana history with 1,000 career points and 600 career rebounds… finished his second consecutive season with at least 250 total rebounds, the first Grizzly to do that since Daren Engellant in 1991-92… In Montana’s win against St. Thomas (11/17), Bannan had 23 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists, one of just eight players with that stat line during the 2022-23 season… scored in double figures in 26 of the 31 games on the season, including a stretch of 10 straight at one point… scored a season-high 27 points in a win at North Dakota State (12/10)… had seven 20-point games… ended season with 10 games with at least 10 rebounds, including a season-high 17 against St. Thomas (11/17)… followed that game up with a 15-rebound, 12-point double-double against Merrimack (11/18)… named the Zootown Classic MVP the following night after averaging 14.3 points and 13.3 rebounds in the three-game stretch… his play during the Zootown Classic also earned him the Big Sky Player of the Week on Nov. 22… had 12 games with at least five assists, and led Montana in the category in 17 games during the season… led the Grizzlies in rebounding in 23 games, and scoring in 10… played a season-high 44 minutes in an overtime loss at Northern Arizona (1/5)… shot 40.4 percent from three-point range on 47 attempts, improving his average for the third straight year… made 77.0 percent of his free throws on 126 attempts… scored the ball efficiently with seven games in double-figures while also shooting better than 60 percent from the field… had at least four assists in 10 straight games during Big Sky play… made 11 free throws against Eastern Washington (12/29), and had three games on the season with at least eight made free throws… co-led the Grizzlies with 23 steals… tied for second on the team with 15 blocks… 13 of his 15 blocks came during Big Sky play… one of only 31 players in the NCAA to average 49 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three and 75 percent from the free throw line (min. 500 minutes)… announced following the season that he would pursue a professional career, and has signed with the Brisbane Bullets of the NBL.

2021-22 (Sophomore):&nbsp;All-Big Sky Conference second team… Zootown Classic MVP… CoSIDA Academic All-America third team… Academic All-Big Sky Conference for the second year in a row…&nbsp;Earned All-Big Sky Conference second-team honors after ranking second in Big Sky play for rebounding (8.2 per game, 60th&nbsp;in NCAA), second for shooting (.520) and seventh for scoring (17.0 per game)… Was the league’s only player to average 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game… Also ranked in the top 15 in Big Sky play for free-throw shooting, blocked shots and minutes played… Led Montana for scoring and rebounding on the season, recording the Grizzlies’ third-highest rebounding average since 2001… Recorded 11 double-doubles, which ranked second in the Big Sky and 36th&nbsp;in the NCAA… Led Montana for scoring a team-best 12 times, scoring in double figures 25 times and reaching 20-plus points on eight occasions… Scored in double figures in 18 of the final 19 games of the season, including the final nine… Led the Grizzlies for rebounding a team-most 24 times… Led the Grizzlies for steals a team-high 11 times… Recorded multiple assists in each of the final seven games of the season (2.6 average)… In the regular-season finale vs. Sacramento State (March 5), scored 20 points and pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds (fourth-most by a Big Sky player in 2021-22), in addition to three assists and two steals... Totaled 23 points in a win over Montana State (Feb. 27), with 14 coming in the first half… He also added seven rebounds, three assists and a career-high three blocked shots… Scored a career-high 26 points vs. Southern Utah (Feb. 7), connecting on nine shot attempts while also adding eight rebounds and two blocked shots… Scored 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, plus five rebounds, two steals and two assists, at Portland State (Jan. 20), and 21 points and nine boards vs. Eastern Washington (Jan. 29)… Reached 20 points in four consecutive games from Feb. 12-27, averaging 22.3 on .593 shooting… Recorded four consecutive double-doubles from Dec. 30 through Jan. 9, averaging 14.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game during that span… Totaled a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds vs. Idaho State (Dec. 30) before a 13-point and 10-rebound performance vs. Weber State (Jan. 1)… Had a career night in a win over Omaha (Nov. 20), scoring a then-career-best 24 points (10-of-14 shooting) in addition to 12 rebounds… Was in double figures for scoring three games in a row from Nov. 20-26… During that span, was named the Zootown Classic MVP (Nov. 26) after nearly averaging a double-double in a pair of Griz wins (15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.5 assists and 0.5 blocks per game)… Scored 15 points vs. Southern Miss, with 13 of them coming in the game’s final 9 minutes as Montana over-came a deficit… Became the eighth player in school history to earn Academic All-America status, being one of 15 players nationally – and the only sophomore – to be recognized by CoSIDA in March… At his current average, is on pace to finish his career ranked in the top four in school history for rebounding and top 10 for scoring.

2020-21 (Freshman):&nbsp;Academic All-Big Sky Conference…&nbsp;Started 23 games for Montana, including the Grizzlies' first 14 and final nine… Led Montana with 166 rebounds (5.9 average) and ranked fourth on the team for scoring (8.6)… Averaged 5.9 rebounds per Big Sky game, which ranked ninth in the league… Is one of just 12 players in Griz history to eclipse 200 points during his true freshman season (242)… Along with freshman teammates Robby Beasley III and Brandon Whitney, the trio set a Montana freshman record with 751 points scored, accounting for 37.9 percent of the team’s scoring (also a school record)… The group also combined to play more than 2,000 minutes, second only to Kansas State, and was the country’s only team in 2020-21 to have three true freshmen average at least 25.0 minutes per game… Was in double figures for scoring 13 times, leading the Griz for scoring on five times… Was in double figures for rebounding five times, including three double-doubles… Was in double figures for scoring in five consecutive games from Feb. 11-25, averaging 15.3 points on .620 shooting during that span… Led Montana with 19 points and 13 rebounds in a win at Idaho State (Feb. 25), scoring 10 of the Grizzlies' first 12 points… Nearly had a double-double the previous game, totaling a career-high 20 points and nine rebounds vs. Eastern Washington (Feb. 20)… Regained his form in a series vs. Weber State (Feb. 11-13), averaging 11.5 points on 10-of-13 shooting, and at one point making nine consecutive shots… Was in a slump prior to that performance, shooting 9-of-31 over his previous seven games (1-of-13 at one point) while averaging just 3.6 points per contest… In the win over Weber State (Feb. 11), he shot 6-of-6 from the floor while recording 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and being praised for his defense… Scored in double figures in three consecutive games from Dec. 12-18… Had back-to-back double-doubles in December, scoring 12 points and pulling down 12 rebounds in a road win at Washington of the Pac-12 (Dec. 16), before totaling 16 points and 12 boards vs. Dickinson State (Dec. 18)… Scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting vs. Yellowstone Christian (Dec. 12)… Made a game-winning shot vs. Northern Colorado (Jan. 4), sinking a mid-range jumper on an in-bounds pass to give Montana the lead with 4.9 seconds to play… Scored 13 points in his collegiate debut at USC (Nov. 28), while playing 35 minutes.

High School:&nbsp;Is a 2020 graduate of UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra in Canberra… Also attended St. Kevin’s College, in Victoria and played for the Blackburn Vikings… Competed at the Centre of Excellence, which is part of the NBL1, a semi-professional Australian league that is on par with the NBA G-League and features some G-League players… Has also spent time at the NBA Global Academy, which serves as the NBA’s training hub for the top prospects outside of the U.S. and has produced future NBA players, including Andrew Bogut (2005 No. 1 overall pick), Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills… At the NBA Global Academy in 2019, totaled 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game… Nearly averaged a double-double with 13.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game while helping Team Victoria to a gold medal at the 2019 Australian U20 Championships in Canberra… Also played for the U17 national team, where Bannan finished sixth at the 2018 U17 World Cup in Argentina… Played in the Australian circuit with current Grizzly Hunter Clarke.

Personal:&nbsp;Born and raised&nbsp;in Melbourne, Australia... Parents are Chris and Tracey Bannan... Has a younger sister, Eliza... Is studying economics with a minor in mathematics.

Josh Bannan

G.G. Jackson, Noah Clowney Offer Tantalizing Potential

Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Josh Bannan One-on-One Interview (June 6, 2023)

Josh Bannan: 2023 Draft Prospect