The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Best Prospects in Pre-Draft Workouts

By Ryan Aston

Feb 13, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) attempts to regain control of the basketball in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Huskies 81-80. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) attempts to regain control of the basketball in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Huskies 81-80. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ante Zizic, KK Cibona/Croatia

Age: 19, Height: 6’11.5″, Weight: 249 lbs.

Current Prospect Rankings–DraftExpress: 22, NBADraft.net: 36, CBS Sports: 14

Last Season: 26.6 Min,14.4 Pts, 8.5 Reb, 0.7 Ast, 1.3 Blk, .653 FG%, .724 FT%, 22.5 PER

Jazz VP of Player Personnel, Walt Perrin’s Post-Workout Comments: “We like that he plays hard, and that he rebounds. I think we saw what we needed to see. The best things that he does, he’s similar to a point guard in that he needs to be in a 5-on-5 setting. What he does best, he can’t show that individually.”

Spencer Wixom Analysis–
A lot of people haven’t heard Ante Zizic’s name before, but should come Thursday’s draft as he is likely to be selected in the mid-first round.

At 6-foot-11 with a seven-foot-three standing reach, Ante has the body of an NBA center. Zizic uses that body to rebound the ball better than a lot of the big man prospects in this class. He is tough as nails and is really aggressive.

Zizic can post up and play around the basket, but he has no jump shot right now. His 72.4 percent free throw shooting does give you hope that he could develop a 12-15 foot jump shot.

While there is a lot to like about Zizic’s game, there are some big concerns as well. He has little feel for the game at this point in his career. He is not a great passer and needs to improve that. Ante tries to rely on his strength too much right now, which he will not get away with in the NBA. He will have to learn to be a little more crafty around the basket. Because of those issues and his lack of above average athleticism, Zizic has limited upside.

I would compare Ante Zizic to Zaza Pachulia. He is a tough guy, but will likely be best served as a third or fouth big. Zizic would fit in Utah as they have a need for a backup center, though the Jazz would prefer to see someone who can shoot, defend the rim or has more athleticism.

I have a hard time seeing them picking him at 12, but if they trade back into the later first he could be a good target.

Next: Thon Maker