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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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Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga

Age: 20, Height: 6’10”, Weight: 231 lbs.

Current Prospect Rankings–DraftExpress: 18, NBADraft.net: 8, CBS Sports: 10

Last Season: 31.9 Min,17.6 Pts, 11.8 Reb, 1.8 Ast, 0.9 Blk, .611 FG%, .357 3PT%, .769 FT%, 29.3 PER

Walt Perrin’s Post-Workout Comments: “We had him shoot a couple threes and he looked comfortable shooting them. He’s pretty crafty around the basket with his footwork and his shot-making. He had a pretty good workout going against himself.”

Spencer Wixom Analysis–
Many Jazz fans know Sabonis closely, as he played for Gonzaga and squared off against both BYU and Utah. This 20-year-old big man is extremely skilled and has one of the highest basketball IQs in the draft. Domantas is also an excellent passer for a big man.

He is crafty around the basket and knows how to score. Of the big men in the range of the Utah Jazz’s 12th pick, Sabonis has the best motor. This kid does not give up on a play. Due to that motor and his strength, Sabonis is one of the best rebounders in this draft class.

While he did not really shoot the three at Gonzaga, there is a belief among scouts that he can extend his shot to the three. This will be crucial for Sabonis as he is not a great athlete and is not a good defender. A lot of this Bulldog’s defensive issues come down to his lack of agility.

He is a smart player, but will likely never be an above average defender because of those physical limitations.

Sabonis may be the safest pick in the range that the Utah Jazz are picking. However, his ceiling is not much higher than his floor. If Domantas cannot stretch his game out to the three-point line, he could be in jeopardy of not fitting in the new NBA. Domantas reminds me a lot of Luis Scola. He is also similar to Greg Monroe, who is currently being shopped on the trade market as his team cannot figure out how to use him in today’s electric game.

Domantas could be picked by the Jazz, but I do not really see it happening. Because of his athletic and defensive limitations, he is not a great fit next to the frontcourt players on the Jazz. I actually think Sabonis will be picked before the Jazz are on the clock, but that may be a good thing.

Next: Denzel Valentine