By JOSH NEWMAN
Special to ZAGSBLOG
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – It never hurts to have a guy on your team who can do a little bit of everything. As he makes his way through the NBA Draft process this spring, former Rice High School and University of Miami star Durand Scott believes he can be that guy.
An ACC All-Defensive Team selection and the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, Scott, a 125-game starter at shooting guard over four seasons for the Hurricanes, showed he can play offense too. He ended his career with 1,650 points, good for eighth in program history, in addition to 404 assists, which sits fifth all-time. As a senior, he averaged 13.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as Miami enjoyed a landmark 29-7 season, winning the ACC regular season and conference tournament crowns to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
After previously working out for the Los Angeles Lakers, Scott made his way to the 44-player Nets Draft Combine on Wednesday looking to prove that he can be that defensive stopper, while also showing his offense can translate to the next level. Matched up with the smaller, quicker Phil Pressey, a junior point guard from Missouri, Scott made the most of the opportunity. Once the workout went to 5-on-5 play, Scott forced the Cousy Award finalist into three early turnovers and a poor shooting day, while showing good decision-making on the offensive end.
“I’m very happy I had the opportunity to come out here and compete with one of the best guys in the country,” Scott said. “I had a chance to put my skills out there and showcase and play the best I possibly can.”
All of the attributes that gave executives and scouts from all 30 NBA teams a positive impression of Scott have not yet translated into a rising stock. With the draft just over one month away, the 6-foot-5, 203-pound does not appear on any reputable mock draft. That didn’t stop at least one veteran NBA scout from deeming the Bronx native as draft-worthy.
“I thought he played very well today, he just knows how to play,” the scout told SNY.tv after witnessing the workout at PNY Center. “He hit some nice 3’s, made some good passes, drove, and played under control. I think he’d be a nice second-round selection for someone.”
Represented by Andy Miller and ASM Sports, Scott may not be he hitting many draft boards just yet, but he is going to have the opportunity to raise his stock in the coming weeks. A source confirmed to SNY.tv on Thursday evening that Scott will work out for the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, with scheduled workouts with the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks coming as well.
Additionally, Scott will participate in ASM Pro Day, a 17-player draft combine, on May 31 in Las Vegas.
With Scott having gotten his feet wet in terms of workouts with the Lakers, he now knows what to expect going in.
“It was my first workout, so I kind of wanted to get my feet wet and just to see what workouts are gonna be like,” Scott said. How hard it is, what to expect, things like that and I think it went pretty well. All you can do is play hard as you can. It’s basketball, you know? At the same time, it is your future. I’ve just been enjoying the process.”
