Utah Jazz Pre-Draft Workouts Continue Thursday
By Cody Powers
The Utah Jazz wrapped up their first set of pre-draft workouts on Wednesday when they hosted six players looking to hear their name called in June come NBA Draft time. On Thursday, the Jazz will be hosting six more players looking to try and impress the Jazz front office.
The players the Jazz will be hosting Thursday will be Joe Jackson, Justin Cobbs, Josh Huestis, Fuquan Edwin, Cameron Clark, and Travis Bader.
Joe Jackson is a 6′ 1″, 174 pound senior guard from University of Memphis. During his senior season, Jackson averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game. During his time with the Tigers, Jackson earned the nickname the “King of Memphis”. However, the “King” was terrible from beyond the three point line. His senior season, Jackson averaged an awful 27.4% from deep. Also, in his four seasons at Memphis, Jackson averaged 2.65 turnovers per game. In the latest mock draft from Draft Express, Jackson is not projected to be drafted.
Justin Cobbs is the 6′ 4″, 190 pound senior guard out of the University of California. During his senior season, Cobbs averaged 15.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. Like Jackson, Cobbs didn’t shoot the ball particularly well from beyond the three point line. Cobbs was only able to connect on 33% of his shots from deep. He was however, able to get to the free throw line five times per game. In the latest mock draft from Draft Express, Cobbs is not projected to be drafted.
Not much video on the next prospect, but the guy in the video above is Josh Huestis. Huestis is the 6′ 7″, 230 pound senior from Stanford University. Huestis averaged 11.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game his senior season with the Cardinals. He is a guy that the Jazz could be giving a look at to help spread the floor. Huestis averaged nearly 34% shooting from deep his senior season. One downside is he averaged 62.7% from the free throw line this season, which is down from his 66.7% from the line his junior season. In the latest mock draft on Draft Express, Huestis is projected to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 24th pick of the second round.
Fuquan Edwin is the 6′ 6″, 215 pound senior guard from Seton Hall University. In his senior season, Edwin averaged 14.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Edwin had a pretty decent year shooting the ball for the Pirates, going 43.9% from the field. However, a concern would have to be his dropped three point shooting percentages from his junior to senior year. During his junior year, Edwin shot 41.2% from three, while that average dropped to 33.3% his senior year. In the latest mock draft on Draft Express, Edwin is not projected to be drafted.
Cameron Clark is the 6′ 7″, 211 pound senior forward from the University of Oklahoma. During his senior season, Clark averaged 15.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. If Huestis, who was mentioned above, is coming in for a look at a guy who can spread the floor, Clark might be an even better option in that department. Clark shot 43.5% from deep in 27.7 minutes per game during his senior year with the Sooners. In the latest mock draft on Draft Express, Clark is not projected to be drafted.
Finally, the Jazz will bring in Travis Bader. Bader is the 6′ 5″, 191 pound senior guard from the University of Oakland. Bader passed former Duke guard, J.J. Reddick’s three point record mark of 457 made three’s back in February of this season. During his senior season, Bader averaged 20.6 points per game. A couple of incredible numbers regarding Bader his senior season, he averaged 94.3% from the free throw line, as well as attempted 11 three pointers a game. Bader also got to the free throw line nearly six times per game. In the latest mock draft on Draft Express, Bader is not expected to be drafted.
This is the second set of pre-draft workouts that the Jazz are conducting. Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey, is looking to get as much information as he can on guys before the draft. Look to see a lot more guys come through Salt Lake City prior to the draft.