After dropping out of both high school and junior college, Lester Hudson was destined to be nothing more than a Memphis playground legend.
But Thursday morning at Verizon Center, as one of six players auditioning for the Wizards, Hudson appeared ready to make his improbable tale complete and seize a spot in the first round of the NBA draft.
The 23-year-old guard from Tennessee-Martin has a Steve Francis-like story. He played just one year of high school and washed out of Southwest Tennessee Community College. But with a year of painstaking work in the classroom and no organized basketball, Hudson became eligible.
From there, the rest was easy.
In his Tennessee-Martin debut, at hometown Memphis, Hudson scored 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Two games later, Hudson posted the first quadruple-double in Division I history. He finished the year with per-game averages of 25.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists, becoming this year’s draft wildcard.
Hudson has an NBA-ready body, great quickness, good range on his jumper and the attitude to play defense. The biggest question NBA teams have is if he can play the point.
Hudson has already visited Detroit and Cleveland and expects to work out for as many as 15 other teams. Still, the 6-2, 190-pound combo guard with a 6-9 wingspan (thus the proclivity to rebound), isn’t taking anything for granted. He’s yet to hire an agent.
“I’m leaving my options open,” said Hudson. “I may go back to school if I’m low second [round] something like that. If I can come back, then be top 20, top 25, then I might go back to school.”
Don’t count on it.
After Thursday’s workout, in which Hudson showed equal parts game and moxie, Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld made a bee line to Hudson, shook his hand, and engaged him in an extended conversation.
Per team policy, Grunfeld wasn’t available to comment. But his body language was telling.
Other players who worked out Thursday:
C.J. Giles (Oregon State) » The 6-11, 240-pounder has the distinction of being kicked off two college teams in three years. But Giles has an NBA body with a 7-4 wingspan and can run the floor, block shots and shoot. Averaged 6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 18 minutes per game. Probably a mid- to late-second round choice.
Marreese Speights (Florida) » Averaged 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds as a sophomore at Florida. The 6-10, 245-pounder operated close to the basket and shot 62 percent, but in pre-draft workouts has shown range to the 3-point line. Lottery-pick skills, but questionable work ethic. May not be on board when Wizards draft (18th).
Jason Thompson (Rider) » The 6-11, 250-pounder averaged 20.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks and excelled when Rider faced top-level teams. Lots of offensive skills and shooting range, but defense and intensity have been questioned. Figures to go late first/early second round.
Darnell Jackson (Kansas) » Averaged 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds as a senior, his first year as a starter. The 6-8, 250-pounder is a hard worker and solid rebounder with limited skills. NBA reserve at best. Could go undrafted.
Jeremy Pargo (Gonzaga) » Powerful build at 6-2, 220. Great first step and ability to penetrate. Averaged 12.1 points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 turnovers this year as a junior. Good bloodlines — younger brother of New Orleans Hornets guard Jannero Pargo. Probable second rounder.
