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The Memphis Grizzlies hosted another pre-draft workout for potential 2nd-round prospects earlier yesterday at FedexForum. A.J. Davis (UCF), Wenyen Gabriel (Kentucky), Brandon Goodwin (Florida Gulf Coast), Devonte Graham (Kansas), Terry Larrier (Connecticut), and Ray Spalding (Louisville) were the attendees.
As usual, Chris Wallace was available to the media after the workout. Here are a few takeaways.
Devonte Graham’s workout
No disrespect to the other players who came, but this might as well have been Devonte Graham’s private workout.
Graham was obviously the most touted prospect at the workout, and he will likely be a candidate for the Grizzlies with their 32nd pick. The 6’2” point guard from Kansas excelled in all parts of the workout, and he was also extremely impressive during his media availability afterward. As a player whose character has been lauded by Wallace among others, Graham would appear to be a great fit in the Memphis locker room.
Devonte Graham discussing both his fit in Memphis and life as a draft prospect pic.twitter.com/go7sY5biEM
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) June 12, 2018
Chris Wallace speaking mainly on Devonte Graham, Wenyen Gabriel, and Ray Spalding pic.twitter.com/dBlYpwBx04
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) June 12, 2018
Updates on the top tier
As has already been reported, the Grizzlies had Wendell Carter Jr. from Duke in for a private workout earlier yesterday. Wallace was extremely complimentary of him.
“He is another player with great intangibles, a high IQ player,” said Wallace. He’s got great length, great hands around the basket, and he can shoot. Rebounding is also one of his best attributes.”
Considering that Carter is not projected to go fourth in any mock drafts, the Grizzlies bringing him in for a workout would seem to indicate that they have interest in trading down. Regardless, it is nice to see that the Grizzlies could get someone from the lottery in for a workout. Unfortunately, it does not appear that they will be getting anyone else from the top tier in for a workout before the draft.
“I don’t see the players that you see in the top three of many of the projections coming in for a workout at this point.”
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) June 12, 2018
This is not surprising since the players in the top tier do not believe that they will fall to Memphis at 4, and the Grizzlies themselves will be going to evaluate Michael Porter Jr. in Chicago for his 2nd workout, which will be for just teams in the lottery.