Hanging around the Verizon practice court

As I told you yesterday, expected-to-be-named Wizards assistant coach Sam Cassell was spotted in the halls of Verizon Center, and today he was seen again, this time in Wizards practice gear, helping to run a predraft workout. Who else was there? Randy Wittman and Gene Banks, but not Ryan Saunders, Flip’s son. We’ll have to see when things are made official.

As for the players on the court today, Maryland junior Greivis Vasquez had to be pleased with his workout for the team just down the street. He showed a good variety of moves as well as leadership and some solid shooting skills. Not too bad.

Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks struck me as quick and built, and Ole Miss’ David Huertas had his moments, too. Marcus Thornton seemed to struggle and fatigue late…

Here’s who is on tap for tomorrow: Gordon Watt (Houston Baptist), Micah Downs (Gonzaga), Dwayne Anderson (Villanova), Weyinmi Efejuku (Providence).

Some highlights from Meeks’ session with the press afterward (apparently, Wizards prez Ernie Grunfeld did ask him why he had to get the Wildcats record of 54 points in a game against Grunfeld’s alma mater, Tennessee):

On weighing the decision to return to Kentucky, which now has John Calipari as coach and tip-top recruit John Wall on the way in, vs. going pro: “Getting the recruits that we have, if I go back, it’s going to be a great team. I have to do what’s best for me, and go thorugh the rest of the process. I’m working hard to play in the NBA, but if it doesn’t work out the way I plan, Ill go back to school and have a good senior year.”

On whether he’s ready for the NBA: “Definitely I think my game’s good enough to be here this coming year. But I’m just getting out here competing, trying as hard as I can. It’s not my decision to make. Hopefully a team will draft me in the first round and I’ll go from there.”

Did he really say not his decision to make? We know Calipari is a good recruiter….

What guarantee would he need to stick with the NBA decision: “Obviously if a team says they’ll take me in the first round, I’ll definitely try to stay. The first round is a good round to be in. But the late second round to not getting drafted, I’ll probably go back to school.”

Speaking of Calipari: “I think Coach Calipari’s an excellent recruiter. He actually encouraged me to put my name in and see what happens, and he definitely said, if I’m second round to come back to school have a good senior year.”

Meeks was interesting. Vasquez was better:

On how his game has improved in the NBA workouts: “I’m shooting the ball way better. I think I’m more comfortable shooting the ball. I feel like I’m playing better one-on-one defense and then like I said, it’s too early to make comments about if I’m going to stay or not, but I just want to get better. As long as I become better player, that’s what I want to do.

On working out for the team just down the street from College Park: “I love it. The Wizards are the team I’m always following because I go to school 25 minutes away. But I’m trying to be a pro. I’m trying to hopefully make it one day and then I got to take this as a job interview, more than a fan. I want these guys to win, but at the same time, I’m trying to make it with a team.”

On whether he’s weighing international options: “Not at all. Let’s make that clear. Greivis Vasquez is not going overseas. He’s not playing in Europe. I would rather get my education and get my degree. If it comes to be going overseas. I want to work hard to make it to the point where I will be a pro one day. But it’s not going to be overseas right now.”

On his best position: “I’m going to do whatever the coach wants me to do, but I’m a point guard. I’m a 6-5 point guard. It’s not me trying to be cocky or anything like that. It’s just me telling people the position that I play. Some people get confused because I’m 6-5, that I’m a three guard or a two guard. I want to lead the team. The best part of my game is my passing abilities so. Let me run a team. Let me lead a team. Don’t make me score 40 points a game.”