PhxGametime
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Suns Notebook
College Player of the Year Impresses Suns
By Dustin Krugel, Suns.com
Posted: May 25, 2003
If the NBA Draft was based purely on production, David West would be one of the top selections in next month’s draft.
Of course, there’s a whole bunch of other factors, including potential, and that’s why the 6-8 Xavier forward, who was the Associated Press National Player of the Year and the runner-up to Texas guard T.J. Ford in the voting for the Wooden Award, may slip in the draft.
West, who participated in the Suns’ first pre-draft workout Sunday morning, will likely hear his name called out by NBA Commissioner David Stern somewhere in the mid-to-late first round. Phoenix owns the 17th overall pick in the draft.
“At times, you kind of think about it, but you just got to play,” said West, when asked if he’s surprised he’s not a surefire lottery pick after becoming the first three-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. “It’s been the same old pattern my whole life, man. People told me I couldn’t play in college. I was offered one collegiate scholarship and it was from Xavier.”
While West has been one of college basketball’s most consistent performers over the last four seasons at Xavier, some scouts label him a bit of a tweener, somewhere between a four and three. Even ESPN Insider Chad Ford lists West as the fifth-best small forward in the draft after dominating the collegiate level at power forward, where he averaged 20.1 points and 11.8 rebounds during his senior season.
“David West is a 6-8 kid who has four years of good schooling,” Suns Head Coach Frank Johnson said. “He plays well with his back back-to-the-basket. Maybe he can get bigger. He’s only 223 (pounds). Right now, I’d say he’s kind of in-between a three and four, but he surprised me certainly with his range.”
West said if he had a choice, he’d like to remain at power forward, the same position Suns’ NBA Rookie of Year Amaré Stoudemire plays.
“(The three position) is not my position,” said West, who is currently projected by NBAdraft.net to be the 24th overall pick by the Lakers. “(The four) is my bread and butter, but I’m just looking for an opportunity to show what I can do.”
West, who nearly turned pro last year, has many traits of a strong post player Johnson said, including gigantic hands.
“He has huge hands, huge hands,” the Suns coach said, holding up his own two hands. “When he came into my office and shook my hand, I was like, ‘Where did my hand go?’ They got lost. That’s always nice (for a big man). He’s a very good rebounder. He can score in the box. He’s physical.”
LOCAL PRODUCTS
In addition to West, the Suns welcomed Stanford guard Julius Barnes and two former Arizona State players, including forward Tommy Smith and guard Curtis Millage.
After a breakout performance at the Portsmouth Invitational pre-draft camp in April, Smith is considered a lock to be drafted in the second round and possibly the first round.
“I don’t know if I agree with them. I want to go in the first. That’s my goal,” said Smith, who averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while leading the Pac-10 Conference in blocks (2.16 bpg) in his senior season.
After a slow start to his college career, the former North High School product (Phoenix) is considered a late bloomer, but his stock is clearly on the rise.
“He’s got a chance,” said Millage, who was a teammate of Smith’s for two season at ASU. “Tommy’s 6-10 and can run. He’s a shot blocker. Good defense. He’s not too strong (215-pounds), but you can work on that. You can’t work on speed and natural ability to jump up and down, but you can work on getting stronger and getting a little bit wiser by getting to know the game. That’s what he is doing right now.”
Smith said it would be a dream come true if the Suns grabbed him with the 17th pick.
“I pretty much grew up a Suns fan. I watched them when they had KJ and Charles Barkley,” admitted Smith, who attended a Stay in School event during the 1995 NBA All-Star Game when it was held in Phoenix.
While Millage was a late addition to Sunday’s workout after another player cancelled, the 6-2 guard made an impression on Johnson.
“Curtis Millage is just a tough kid,” he said. “I don’t know if he’ll get drafted, but he’s tough.”
College Player of the Year Impresses Suns
By Dustin Krugel, Suns.com
Posted: May 25, 2003
If the NBA Draft was based purely on production, David West would be one of the top selections in next month’s draft.
Of course, there’s a whole bunch of other factors, including potential, and that’s why the 6-8 Xavier forward, who was the Associated Press National Player of the Year and the runner-up to Texas guard T.J. Ford in the voting for the Wooden Award, may slip in the draft.
West, who participated in the Suns’ first pre-draft workout Sunday morning, will likely hear his name called out by NBA Commissioner David Stern somewhere in the mid-to-late first round. Phoenix owns the 17th overall pick in the draft.
“At times, you kind of think about it, but you just got to play,” said West, when asked if he’s surprised he’s not a surefire lottery pick after becoming the first three-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. “It’s been the same old pattern my whole life, man. People told me I couldn’t play in college. I was offered one collegiate scholarship and it was from Xavier.”
While West has been one of college basketball’s most consistent performers over the last four seasons at Xavier, some scouts label him a bit of a tweener, somewhere between a four and three. Even ESPN Insider Chad Ford lists West as the fifth-best small forward in the draft after dominating the collegiate level at power forward, where he averaged 20.1 points and 11.8 rebounds during his senior season.
“David West is a 6-8 kid who has four years of good schooling,” Suns Head Coach Frank Johnson said. “He plays well with his back back-to-the-basket. Maybe he can get bigger. He’s only 223 (pounds). Right now, I’d say he’s kind of in-between a three and four, but he surprised me certainly with his range.”
West said if he had a choice, he’d like to remain at power forward, the same position Suns’ NBA Rookie of Year Amaré Stoudemire plays.
“(The three position) is not my position,” said West, who is currently projected by NBAdraft.net to be the 24th overall pick by the Lakers. “(The four) is my bread and butter, but I’m just looking for an opportunity to show what I can do.”
West, who nearly turned pro last year, has many traits of a strong post player Johnson said, including gigantic hands.
“He has huge hands, huge hands,” the Suns coach said, holding up his own two hands. “When he came into my office and shook my hand, I was like, ‘Where did my hand go?’ They got lost. That’s always nice (for a big man). He’s a very good rebounder. He can score in the box. He’s physical.”
LOCAL PRODUCTS
In addition to West, the Suns welcomed Stanford guard Julius Barnes and two former Arizona State players, including forward Tommy Smith and guard Curtis Millage.
After a breakout performance at the Portsmouth Invitational pre-draft camp in April, Smith is considered a lock to be drafted in the second round and possibly the first round.
“I don’t know if I agree with them. I want to go in the first. That’s my goal,” said Smith, who averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while leading the Pac-10 Conference in blocks (2.16 bpg) in his senior season.
After a slow start to his college career, the former North High School product (Phoenix) is considered a late bloomer, but his stock is clearly on the rise.
“He’s got a chance,” said Millage, who was a teammate of Smith’s for two season at ASU. “Tommy’s 6-10 and can run. He’s a shot blocker. Good defense. He’s not too strong (215-pounds), but you can work on that. You can’t work on speed and natural ability to jump up and down, but you can work on getting stronger and getting a little bit wiser by getting to know the game. That’s what he is doing right now.”
Smith said it would be a dream come true if the Suns grabbed him with the 17th pick.
“I pretty much grew up a Suns fan. I watched them when they had KJ and Charles Barkley,” admitted Smith, who attended a Stay in School event during the 1995 NBA All-Star Game when it was held in Phoenix.
While Millage was a late addition to Sunday’s workout after another player cancelled, the 6-2 guard made an impression on Johnson.
“Curtis Millage is just a tough kid,” he said. “I don’t know if he’ll get drafted, but he’s tough.”
