By ADAM ZAGORIA
Villanova redshirt freshman Omari Spellman began a series of West Coast workouts with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
The 6-9 Spellman — who is testing the draft waters without an agent — also has workouts with the Clippers (Thursday), Spurs (Saturday) and Jazz (Monday). On Thursday, he worked out alongside fellow PSA Cardinals alum Terry Larrier of UConn.
“My comparison of who I try to model my game after is Draymond Green and how hard he competes,” Spellman told Lakers reporters. “The way he can put it on the floor, the way he can make decisions, the way he defends and rebounds and the way he’s there for his teammates. That’s who I try to model my game after.”
? Omari Spellman talks about his relationship with current Laker Josh Hart and his ability to step out and knock down threes pic.twitter.com/dXn0sgLv4c
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 23, 2018
Green was drafted No. 35 by the Warriors in 2012 and is now a key cog on their championship teams.
Spellman, currently projected as the No. 25 pick in 2019 per ESPN.com, extolled his ability to defend multiple positions based on his practice experience at Villanova, which has won two of the last three NCAA championships.
“I feel very comfortable having to guard Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVinenzo, Mikal Bridges and Phil Booth in practice all the time,” he said. “It’s something I got a chance to practice a lot and it’s something I got a lot better at.”
Bridges is a projected lottery pick, Brunson a late first-rounder and DiVincenzo a late-first/early-second rounder. DiVincenzo had lunch with Celtics President Danny Ainge after his workout this week, leading to thinking that the Celtics might take him at No. 27, or later should they add a second-round pick.
Spellman played both days at the NBA Draft Combine last week and the jury is out on whether he’ll remain in the draft or withdraw by the May 30 deadline to pull out. He went for 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in Friday’s game at the Combine after putting up 12 rebounds and 9 points s on Thursday.
Celtics President Danny Ainge took @NovaMBB ‘s Donte DiVincenzo to lunch after their workout this week, source says. Celts pick at No. 27 and are in the hunt for a 2nd-rounder also. pic.twitter.com/OedEkZnOLy
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 23, 2018
Spellman said at the Combine he believes he’s ready for the NBA.
“For me, it’s a feel thing. I think personally I’m an NBA player,” Spellman said on ESPN. “I think I’m ready to make an impact. For me it’s just taking these next few days and really just gathering as much information as I can to make a good decision for myself.”
Spellman said he will consult with his mother, Teresita Jones-Thomas, and PSA Cardinals coach Terrance “Munch” Williams in making his decision.
“Those are really the only two people I’m considering when making my decision,” he said.
