Could an Admiral be the next wing on deck for the Utah Jazz?

Tennessee forward Admiral Schofield joined a group of perimeter prospects in auditioning for Utah Jazz decision-makers on Friday.

In the Tennessee Volunteers’ Sweet 16 match-up with third-seeded Purdue last March, Admiral Schofield’s 21-point, nine-rebound effort wasn’t enough to get his squad to the Elite 8. In the end, the Vols fell in overtime, 99-94. Nevertheless, his senior season did wonders for his draft stock;  he could be a first-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

On Friday, Schofield joined Sydney Kings wing Brian Bowen II, Houston guard Armoni Brooks, Virginia guard Ty Jerome, Michigan guard Jordan Poole and Mississippi State guard Quinndary Weatherspoon for a pre-draft workout with the Utah Jazz.

Although there’s always some level of concern with older, four-year players — particularly ones who didn’t become key cogs to their team’s attack until later in their college players –Schofield has the look of a guy with Jazz DNA.

During his senior season, he put up 16.5 points and 6.1 boards per contest, while boasting an individual D-rating under 100.

At just over 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds, he’s a wing who plays larger than his height. It helps that he has a 6-foot-10 wingspan and strength and speed to boot. At the NBA Draft Combine, Schofield had the fastest shuttle run (2.87 seconds) among forwards and the fourth-best time overall.

He also had the fourth-most reps on the bench press with 15.

Obviously, those kinds of physical tools could help him overcome his four-year senior status, but so, too, could his shooting touch. Over his last three seasons as a collegiate, he knocked down 38.9 percent or better from distance every year.

NBADraft.net cites Jazzman Jae Crowder as a player comp. As for me, I see a bit of P.J. Tucker in him, not just because of their similar dimensions, either — if Schofield’s game translates and he picks up a few new tricks along the way, I can see him becoming that small-ball, 3-and-D four man who spaces the floor and makes plays with grit, energy and brute strength.

For his part, Admiral can see himself becoming the next combo wing on deck for the Jazz —

"“I think they need someone with my abilities to bring toughness, to be a great teammate; be a guy that comes in and helps guys get better.”"

He also spoke about Karl Malone and John Stockton‘s pick-and-roll, the Jazz always being on the brink and said he welcomes the Crowder comparisons and wants to be a “junkyard dog” who guards multiple positions.

Whether or not that means he’ll be someone the Jazz consider with the No. 23 pick (assuming they keep it), only Jazz brass knows. But he definitely talks the talk of a future Jazzman.