Marcus Smart is physically ready for the NBA. He's 6'4'' with a 6'8'' wingspan and 220 pounds. He uses his size for crashing to the lane and his defensive prowess – two things he is well known for.
He also is known to have somewhat of a short temper and many point to the incident in February when as a member of the Oklahoma State Cowboys he pushed a Texas Tech fan. Smart has said the fan used a racial slur.
"I've put it behind me. I don't know if everybody else has, but you can't really control what everybody else thinks, everybody else is entitled to their opinion," Smart told reporters. "It's behind me, so I'm moving on with my life … my future is a lot greater than that incident that happened."
Kings Assistant General Manager, Mike Bratz led today's workout sessions that also featured Noah Vonleh of Indiana and Tyler Ennis of Syracuse. Bratz showered Smart with praises after the workout and took a similar "moving on" approach to a question about that particular incident.
"He's a top of the line kid, top-flight kid," Bratz said. "And that's one incident that, I mean, you put yourself in that situation how you might respond. I'm sure if he could take it back he would … how many other people would have been able to hold back?"
Bratz said Smart was asked specifically about the incident during their interview process and said the guard was "very forthcoming."
Bratz has followed Smart for a while. In fact, he played in the same league that his son's high school is in. So he knows what Smart is capable of.
Smart averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.9 steals as a sophomore with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He was the second freshman in school history to average more than 15 points per game in 2012-13. Outside of scoring, one of the biggest things he brings to the table is defense. He was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive team and over his two seasons at Oklahoma State he tallied 189 steals.
The Kings could use his defense. They could do without his shooting. He shot 41 percent from the field over his two college seasons and only 29 percent from three. On a team that needs a lot more shooting, that could be a problem.
But he is working on it this summer and plans to show off his shot at all of his workouts.
Noah Vonleh out of Indiana is expected to be off the draft board somewhere in the top eight. Vonleh is a power forward who stands 6'10'' with a 7'4'' wingspan and weighs 240 pounds. He can rebound at a high level and shoot (he averaged 48 percent from three in his one season with Indiana).
"He's got a lot more than just standing on the block, I mean he's a really talented player … Physically, I mean, you can just tell this guy is going to be a stud," Bratz said. "He can take it outside, he's got a nice touch … he's an impressive kid."
Noah, who thinks he can go in the top five in the draft, sees himself as a stretch four but said he plans to work on making his way out to the perimeter more.
"I could take some help away from him in the paint and stretch the floor with my shooting and things like that, my versatility," Vonleh said.
At only 18 years of age, Vonleh will take some time to develop. He is very raw and has the poorest assist to turnover ratio in this draft class, not to mention less-than-stellar shot-blocking capabilities.
Vonleh, like Smart and Tyler Ennis, will head to Los Angeles for a workout with the Lakers on Wednesday.
The Kings used Monday's workout to scout some of the players who could be there when they select at the 8th spot in the draft on June 26, but they also are looking at possibilities for players in the second round.
Other players who worked out with the Kings on Monday included Eric Moreland (Oregon State); Elfrid Payton (Louisiana-Lafayette); John Bohannon (UTEP); Stephen Holt (St. Mary's (CA)); and Brendan Lane (Pepperdine).
Aaron Gordon of Arizona also met with the Kings today but without media access. The San Jose native didn't work out, but met with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and shot a few baskets. There is a good chance Gordon will be available when the Kings pick.
The Kings are not expected to hold another workout until June 15, but that schedule could change, according to a Kings spokesperson.
For more draft coverage make sure you check out Bryant's Draft Scouting Reports.
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