Projected first-round pick headlines Sacramento Kings’ pre-draft workout
The Sacramento Kings are bringing in an impressive group of NBA prospects for their third pre-draft workout Friday at the team’s Golden 1 Center practice facility.
The workout will feature UConn forward Alex Karaban, Louisville guard Ryan Conwell, Kentucky guard Otega Oweh, Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal, Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel and Missouri forward Mark Mitchell.
Karaban, who scored 27 points in a Sweet 16 game before putting up 17 points and 11 rebounds in the NCAA championship game against Michigan, is projected as a possible late first-round draft pick. Conwell and Oweh could be early second-round picks.
Sacramento has one first-round pick and two second-round picks in the draft, which will be held June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Kings will make their selections at No. 7, No. 34 and No. 45.
Here’s a closer look at the players who will participate in Friday’s workout.
Alex Karaban
School: UConn
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-7 ¾
Weight: 225
Age: 23
Karaban is an excellent shooter with outstanding size and length at his position. He averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 46.4% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range to help UConn reach the championship game of the NCAA Tournament. Tankathon.com has Karaban projected as a late first-round pick going to the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 29. ESPN.com, NBADraftRoom.com and NBADraft.net have him projected in the 31-40 range.
Ryan Conwell
School: Louisville
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
Age: 22
Conwell doesn’t have ideal size, but he could establish a role in the NBA as a strong and skilled guard who is a rangy shooter. He averaged 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 40.8% from the field and 34.5% from 3-point range as a senior at Louisville. Tankathon.com, NBADraftRoom.com, ESPN.com and NBADraft.net have Conwell projected in the 32-44 range. NBADraftRoom.com has him going to the Kings at No. 34.
Otega Oweh
School: Kentucky
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-5 ½
Weight: 216
Age: 22
Oweh has outstanding size and length for his position with a 6-8 ¼ wingspan. The Oklahoma transfer averaged 18.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 46.5% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range as a senior at Kentucky. Tankathon.com has him projected as the 39th pick in the draft. NBAdraft.net has him at No. 47 while NBADraftRoom.com has him at No. 48.
Tobi Lawal
School: Virginia Tech
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-8 ½
Weight: 214
Age: 23
Lawal is another player who possesses good size and length for his position with a 6-10 ½ wingspan. The Virginia Commonwealth transfer averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 54.2% from the field as a senior at Virginia Tech. He shot just 25% from 3-point range after hitting 37.1% as a junior. Tankathon.com and NBADraft.net have him projected as the 54th pick in the draft. NBADraftRoom.com has him projected as the 60th pick.
Tyler Nickel
School: Vanderbilt
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-7
Weight: 217
Age: 22
Nickel is described as a lethal 3-pointer shooter with outstanding size for his position. He spent a year at North Carolina and a year at Virginia Tech before finding a role as a starter at Vanderbilt. As a senior, he averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He shot 44.5% from the field and 40% from 3-point range on 7.6 attempts per game. Tankathon.com has him projected as the 49th pick in the draft.
Mark Mitchell
School: Missouri
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-8
Weight: 205
Age: 22
Mitchell isn’t expected to hear his name called during the draft, but teams could call on him as an undrafted free agent. He is a highly skilled forward who spent two years at Duke before finishing his college career at Missouri. He averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a senior while shooting 54.7% from the field and 38.8% from 3-point range.
