Former Maryland star works out for Wizards; Arenas seen at Verizon
With Ted Leonsis — and for a brief time, Gilbert Arenas — both watching, Greivis Vasquez took to the Verizon Center practice court for an NBA predraft workout on Monday, a world removed from his first visit to the arena six years ago after arriving from Venezuela to enroll at Montrose Christian.
“I sat all the way at the top, in the 400 level,” said Vasquez of the game between the Wizards and the Miami Heat. “It was cool. I remember that like it was yesterday. That’s why I love this city so much. I used to dream going to a game. I used to dream about playing in this league. Now, I get the chance to play in this league. Wow, obviously, I can’t even believe this myself. I’m very humble about that.”
The reigning Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year and recently graduated Terrapin was the star of the day’s session, despite it being overshadowed by Arenas’ brief cameo. Arenas was seen in the arena for the first time since January, when he was suspended for bringing guns into the locker room. After pleading guilty to one felony count of carrying a pistol without a license, Arenas completed a 30-day stint in a Montgomery County halfway house last month.
“I came over here early, and I saw Gilbert playing one on one with one of his boys. I was like, ‘Wow,'” said Vasquez, who also wanted to meet Leonsis but didn’t get the chance.
Given his immediate use of the word, “character” to describe his thoughts about the Wizards’ chance to rebuild the franchise in the upcoming draft, Vasquez is clearly in tune with the organization’s thinking. Projected to be available when the Wizards go on the clock with the final pick in the first round (30th overall) or the fifth pick in the second round (35th overall), Vasquez said the Wizards were interested in him but that anything can happen. He stands to become the third Venezuelan to play in the NBA.
“I’m sure the new owner is going to do a great job,” said Vasquez, “just getting the right players and helping the city have more emotion and some happiness and some energy about their basketball team.”
Among others, the Wizards will work out Vasquez’s backcourt partner at Maryland, Eric Hayes, and Cornell sharpshooter Ryan Wittman — son of Wizards assistant coach Randy Wittman — on Tuesday.
