It’s not the first time I’ve discussed the vaunted “7” drill that Wizards head coach Flip Saunders regularly uses to conclude pre-draft workouts, and it probably won’t be the last.
And even though like anything else used to evaluate NBA prospects, it is simply one of many pieces that helps to create the overall picture of a prospect, there are times when the results of the drill stand out, especially because it tests strength of skill and mind at a point where both should be declining at the end of a lengthy run on the court.
So, with that exhaustive introductory explanation, Providence guard Marshon Brooks beat the drill soundly in his workout Wednesday morning for the Wizards, missing his first shot but then reeling off eight in a row on the Verizon Center practice court.
Not bad for a guy who said he’s been worn down by his workout schedule and a tweaked ankle he suffered last Thursday when he worked out for the New York Knicks.
“I’m just trying to be myself, score the ball in a variety of different ways like I can, try to provide energy to any team that’s going to pick me up,” said Brooks, who was back in the building where he torched Georgetown for 43 points before getting stripped on the final play of an 83-81 loss by Hoyas guard Chris Wright. Before you call Brooks a volume shooter, remember that he had exactly nothing around him at Providence and had little choice but to average 24.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
“For the most part. I think we had a real young team, and they looked for me to lead,” Brooks said. “I just did what I had to do. Coach looked for me to score a lot. I just tried to score as much as possible, keep it close.”
Jokingly asked if Wright had indeed tried to call a timeout when Georgetown didn’t have one, Brooks responded: “He definitely did, and he fouled me. Just playin’. It was a good game.”
At 6-foot-5 with a 7-1 wingspan – for reference, Kawhi Leonard measured at 7-3 – Brooks has impressed during the pre-draft season and could quite possibly work himself into lottery territory after being long projected as a second round pick. Put him on the radar when the Wizards make their pick at No. 18.
“It’s exciting actually, just thinking about it, playing in country’s capital on top of the fact that they’ve got a young team that’s definitely going towards the top,” Brooks said. “I would love to grow with them.”
Brooks worked out with another player who had success in Verizon Center this season, guard Shelvin Mack, who won a pair of thrilling NCAA games with Butler. San Jose State guard Adrian Oliver’s morning ended prematurely with an injury that left him with his right shoulder wrapped in ice, and the other participants were guard La’Shard Anderson (Boise State), forward Jamel McLean (Xavier) and forward Malcolm Thomas (San Diego State).
