Denver Nuggets Pre-Draft Workout Interviews: Johnson, Jefferson, and Benimon
Mar 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Nick Johnson (13) gestures after a three-point basket against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half of a men
Earlier today, the Denver Nuggets welcomed three prospects to town for pre-draft workouts.
Nick Johnson, a 6’3″ shooting guard out of Arizona, is currently ranked just outside of the top 50 players in this year’s draft by Draft Express. He is currently projected to be available when the Nuggets pick in the second round with selections number 41 and 56. In speaking with the Denver media following his workout, Johnson talked about his ability to be a team player and provide versatility as a combo guard as a positive for the team that spends a pick on him:
Brandon Jefferson, a 5’9″ point guard who played his college ball at Metropolitan State University of Denver, isn’t a prospect who has received a lot of attention leading up to this year’s draft, despite the fact that he was named NCAA Division II national player of the year after averaging more than 20 points a game, the highest single-season scoring average in Metro State history. Jefferson talked about what it was like playing across the street from the Nuggets’ facility, what he hopes to prove as a smaller guard, and his chances of making a team like the Nuggets who have a history of running with smaller guards:
Jerrelle Benimon, a 6’8″ power forward who played two seasons at Georgetown before transferring to Towson, is ranked by Draft Express as one of the top 50 seniors in this year’s draft class. Last season, Benimon averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds per game playing in the Colonial conference. In speaking with the media, Benimon mentioned he has completed workouts for nearly 10 teams and cites his strengths as a rebounder. He also shed some light on his catchy nickname, “Benimonster:”
Central Florida guard Isaiah Sykes also participated in the workout, but according to the Denver Post‘s Christopher Dempsey, he was unable to finish the workout after suffering a hamstring injury.
Jefferson and Benimon are both players that the Nuggets are probably eyeing as possible undrafted free agents, while they could spend a second-round pick on Johnson.
Do any of these players intrigue you, Nuggets fans? Even though these guys may never be stars in the league, might one of them earn a roster spot and help the team as a role player? Share your thoughts in the comments below.