With the Washington Wizards holding their first pre-draft workout sessions, the buzz instantly began with former University of Maryland point guard Melo Trimble being in the building. Although he performed well, there were two players that caught the Wizards eyes more according to a source. In no particular order, Pittsburgh’s Jamel Artis and Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. were the two standouts from the workout that also featured Daniel Dixon, D.J. Fenner, and Kethan Savage (who filled in for Iowa State’s Monte Morris who presumably missed his flight).
Artis spent four years at the University of Pittsburgh where he primarily played small forward and put up solid numbers. In his senior season, he averaged 18.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while also shooting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc. Another bullet in the pro column for Artis is his experience playing both point and shooting guard in college.
“I think I can play shooting guard and small forward in this league,” Artis explained. “I’m very versatile. Play off the ball, handle the ball so I think I will be well set with everything.”
Artis played a year of high school in Baltimore (went to the Bronx because there was not enough completion) so like a Melo Trimble, he would also be somewhat of a local prospect for the Wizards.
“I watch them [the Wizards] a lot,” Artis shared. “I like how they play. Up-tempo, spacing the floor, got a great point guard, share the basketball well so I think I can fit into their system well.”
Although Artis is not listed in Draft Express’ top 100 prospects, he shared that he has already completed five workouts and has nine more currently planned for the future so he certainly could be in high demand despite already being 24.
Moving onto James Blackmon Jr. who I like quite a bit and saw lots of covering Big Ten basketball over the past three season, he is an athletic guard that can provide Washington with a much needed bench shooter. In his junior season at Indiana, he averaged 17 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting a stellar 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. Should he be able to shoot that well in the pros, he will be an instant fit for any team as three-point weapons are always demand in the NBA.
“The league needs shooters,” Blackmon relays what Scott Brooks and Ernie Grunfeld told him after the workout. “Just keep being the guy that I am, but also they were surprised that I could play the point guard position. It’s definitely good feedback.”
Ideally Washington can get a combo guard that can develop into their first guard off the bench that allows John Wall and Bradley Beal platoon with him for most of the time that the starters are not on the floor. Blackmon could be that answer down the line, but do not expect it from him right away should he end up with Washington past training camp.
The Wizards will hold their next pre-draft workout session on Monday, June 5th.
