MOST POPULAR

Suns draft workout features Ulis, Jones, Maker and York

May 30, 2016, 2:05 PM | Updated: May 31, 2016, 4:41 pm

Kentucky's Tyler Ulis (3) shoots in front of Vanderbilt's Damian Jones (30) during the second half ...

Kentucky's Tyler Ulis (3) shoots in front of Vanderbilt's Damian Jones (30) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won 76-57. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

(AP Photo/James Crisp)

The Suns continued their preparation for the 2016 NBA Draft with a double workout featuring 12 prospects on Memorial Day. Here are the headliners that Phoenix got a look at from the practice court at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Kentucky point guard Tyler Ulis

Draft Express Ranking: 19th overall prospect

Relevant Statistics: Ulis is one of the most skilled guards in the draft but has major questions about his size. He measured as 5’10’ and 149 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine. If it wasn’t for that he would be considered a sure-fire lottery pick. As a sophomore, Ulis averaged 17.3 points per game, seven assists, three rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He did all of this with shooting splits of .434/.344/.856 (FG%/3P%/FT%).

Quote: “I feel like the game is getting smaller with the way the Warriors are playing, spacing the floor out, starting to rely on the three-point shot a lot. I just work on my shot, obviously get stronger because of my size. I feel like with the open spacing, I can use my IQ, and the way I play with the ball screens, and use my quickness to my advantage.” — Tyler Ulis


 Vanderbilt center Damian Jones 

Draft Express Ranking: 22nd overall prospect

Relevant Statistics: Jones played like a throwback back to the basket big at the college level. He used his post game to to shoot .590 percent from the field during his junior season and averaged 13.9 points per game. Jones added 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. He only shot eight three-pointers in three years with the Commodores and struggled from the free throw line shooting .565 percent on over 500 attempts.

Quote:“Very athletic, very bouncy. Really nice, smart kid, who was an engineering major at Vanderbilt. Very, very athletically talented. He had a good workout, very bouncy.” — Suns assistant general manager Pat Connelly on Damian Jones.


High school big man Thon Maker 

Draft Express Ranking: 40th overall prospect

Relevant Statistics: There really aren’t any. Nbadraft.net compares him to Chris McCullough, who was a late first-round pick by the Nets out of Syracuse last year. Maker is an extremely raw prospect with excellent physical attributes. What we were able to see at the workout showed his jumper needs a lot of work — his base is too wide, release inconsistent and he doesn’t land in the same spot consistently. Maker does work hard; he finished with the best 3:00 minute run of his group hitting 27.

Quote: “My shot ability, defensive part also, communication as a leader, being a good teammate. Also a competitive person both on the court and off the court. I hold everyone accountable for everything and myself.” — Thon Maker on what part of his game translates to the NBA.


Arizona guard Gabe York

Draft Express Ranking: Not in top 100

Relevant Statistics: This was York’s third stop on the workout circuit after making visits to the Kings and Celtics. He played four years at Arizona and is looking to prove he can become a full-time point guard at the next level due to his size (6’3″). York will have to show he can be more of a playmaker after averaging only a career-high 2.2 assists per game as a senior. His strength is his shooting — York made .402-percent of his threes on 509 attempts during his time with the Wildcats.

Quote: “Oh my goodness, that’s an everyday thing. Coach Miller, I love you, I’m sorry. He’s had to change his shirt at halftime every game. He told me a story about how his tailor was supposed to give him a lighter shirt that wouldn’t make him sweat as much, but in reality with the thinner material he sweat way more. He had to switch it maybe three or four times that game — Gabe York on the Sean Miller NCAA Tournament shirt incident.


Others at the workout were NC State point guard Anthony Barber, Maryland forward Robert Carter Jr., french guard Isaia Cordinier, Kentucky forward Alex Poythress, Syracuse guard Michael Gbinije, Kansas forward Perry Ellis, California guard Tyrone Wallace and Indiana forward Troy Williams.

 

Most Popular

Sean O’Malley throws a kick against Aljamain Sterling during their Bantamweight title fight at UF...

Associated Press

Phoenix fighter Sean O’Malley upsets Aljamain Sterling for UFC bantamweight title

In his first bid for the UFC bantamweight title, Sean O’Malley stopped defending champion Aljamain Sterling in the second round of the main event at UFC 292.

7 months ago

Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States lifts the trophy as United States players celebrate winn...

Associated Press

US beats Canada to win CONCACAF Nations League title

The United States beat Canada 2-0 on Sunday night for the Americans' second straight CONCACAF Nations League title.

9 months ago

Associated Press

Arcangelo wins Belmont Stakes to make Jena Antonucci 1st female trainer to win the race

Arcangelo won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, making Jena Antonucci the first female trainer to win the race in its 155 years.

9 months ago

Associated Press

Kentucky Derby runs into more obstacles ahead of big race

The cast for the 149th Kentucky Derby was rewritten again hours before the race Saturday when early favorite Forte was scratched.

11 months ago

Jesus Ferreira #9 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal in front of the American Out...

Associated Press

Ferreira goal gives USA exhibition tie against Mexico at State Farm Stadium

The United States tied against Mexico 1-1 on Wednesday night in an exhibition at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

11 months ago

Associated Press

Aryna Sabalenka wins 1st Grand Slam title at Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam title by coming back to beat Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open women’s final.

1 year ago

Suns draft workout features Ulis, Jones, Maker and York