2012 NBA Draft: Second Round Prospects Continue Working Out For Timberwolves

There is a lot of speculation involving the Minnesota Timberwolves that has them trading their 18th overall pick away, and it hasn't been helped that much by the players who the Wolves have been bringing in for pre-draft workouts recently. Royce White has been considered a first round selection by a lot of scouts and could legitimately go at 18th overall, but past that most of the players brought in like Jordan Taylor and Quincy Acy are considered second round prospects.

As reported by the Star Tribune, the parade of second round prospects is going to continue with the latest group of players being brought in.

They're bringing back Baylor forward Quincy Acy and Long Beach State point guard Casper Ware from those group workouts attending by all NBA teams at Target Center three weeks ago.

They're also bringing in Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs, Campbell University forward Eric Griffin, Alabama Birmingham forward Cameron Moore and Long Beach State forward T.J. Robinson.

Other than Royce White, nobody seems to be scheduled who is considered a first rounder. Either they're really badly concealing who they're going to be selecting if they get the chance at 18th overall or the Wolves will be drafting a player they never worked out come draft night.

Minnesota holds the 58th overall pick, the third to last selection in the draft. With the 18th overall pick on the trading block, they're likely to pick up some higher picks in the second round which will give them more chances to pick up guys like Acy and others in the high reaches of the round, which would explain the plethora of guys they're bringing in that fit the category.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, head over to Canis Hoopus. More news and analysis on the NBA can be found over at SB Nation's NBA hub, and more on the upcoming draft can be found at the specialized NBA Draft hub.

Jordan Taylor Looking To Work Towards NBA Roster Spot

Royce White getting a look by the Minnesota Timberwolves was nothing special, since he's considered a potential first round selection in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft. The man who was working out for the Wolves on Tuesday who was playing just to be looked at in the second round was Jordan Taylor.

The former Minnesota Mr. Basketball and Wisconsin star is not considered a favorite to be taken even in the second round of the upcoming draft because of some holes in his game and his short 6'1'' stature. Right now, he's just working to try and get a spot in the NBA through a big tour of all the teams, and the Timberwolves would seem to be a smart choice considering his roots in the state.

David Khan had some good words about him after his workout:

"There is no question he's a high-character kid," said David Kahn, Wolves president of basketball operations. "He has a lot of appealing attributes. He's able to drive the ball; he showed in college that he could finish around the rim. But, because he's only about 6-1, which is what I think he measured, I think his shot will need to become more dependable."

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, head over to Canis Hoopus. More news and analysis on the NBA can be found over at SB Nation's NBA hub, and more on the upcoming draft can be found at the specialized NBA Draft hub.

NBA Draft 2012: Royce White Works Out For Minnesota Timberwolves

Minneapolis native Royce White wants the opportunity to play for the hometown Minnesota Timberwolves next season, and he was able to make his own impression during a pre-draft workout at the Wolves' facility on Tuesday.

The Timberwolves have the No. 18 pick in the draft, and if White gets his wish, they'll select him with that pick on draft day.

"(I think about it) every day," White said. "I would give anything to come home and play in front of these fans here, but unfortunately I don't have a say in it."

White said the workout went well and that he was glad to be home. He was Minnesota's Mr. Basketball in 2009 after his senior season at Hopkins.

White declared himself eligible for the draft after a sophomore season at Iowa State in which he averaged 13.4 points per game and received honorable mention All-American honors. This was his fourth draft workout.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, head over to Canis Hoopus. More news and analysis on the NBA can be found over at SB Nation's NBA hub, and more on the upcoming draft can be found at the specialized NBA Draft hub.

NBA Draft 2012: Draymond Green, Drew Gordon Added To Wolves' Tuesday Workout

In addition to locals Royce White and Jordan Taylor, the Minnesota Timberwolves have announced four more participants in Tuesday's draft workout at the Target Center. The full list, via Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune:

Royce White, F, Iowa State;

Jordan Taylor, G, Wisconsin;

Drew Gordon, F, New Mexico;

Draymond Green, F, Michigan State;

Reggie Hamilton, G, Oakland University;

Herman Pope, F, Seton Hall

White is the only prospect in the bunch projected as a surefire first round pick in the upcoming draft, with Gordon and Green on the bubble. Green was named Michigan State's Male Athlete of the Year on Monday.

As always, workouts will be closed to the public.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, head over to Canis Hoopus. More news and analysis on the NBA can be found over at SB Nation's NBA hub, and more on the upcoming draft can be found at the specialized NBA Draft hub.

NBA Draft 2012: Royce White, Jordan Taylor To Work Out For Wolves On Tuesday

According to a report by Jerry Zgoda from the Startribune.com, Minnesota natives Royce White and Jordan Taylor will be working out for the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Tuesday. White is an interesting figure because he has displayed that he can play at the next level but has unique off-court issues (such as an anxiety disorder that includes a fear of flying) that make him a question mark come draft day.

Without the off-court issues, White is probably a top-10 pick but he has been projected as potentially being on the board as long as pick 20. With the Wolves picking at No. 18, the team may decide to add White to utilize him as a wingman who can handle the ball.

In terms of Taylor, he was Mr. Basketball at Benilde-St. Margaret's in 2008 (coincidentally, he won the award a year before White won the honor at Hopkins High in 2009).

He is looking to prove he can play at the next level.

Courtesy of the StarTribune.com:

"I'm excited. I'm always self motivated. Ever since I was a kid, they told me I was too small, too slow, can't shoot, whatever it is. I can play this game pretty well."

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, head over to Canis Hoopus. More news and analysis on the NBA can be found over at SB Nation's NBA hub, and more on the upcoming draft can be found at the specialized NBA Draft hub.

NBA Draft Workouts: Timberwolves President David Kahn Speaks On Thursday Session

The Minnesota Timberwolves are hosting some workouts for possible NBA draft prospects and SB Nation's T'Wolves blog Canis Hoopus was there for Thursday's session. The blog's own observations say that Quincey Acy of Baylor impressed during the 3-on-3 workout in front of representatives from every team in the NBA, while some other guys like Casper Ware faltered a bit in the spotlight:

* Quincy Acy threw down some powerful dunks and was probably the most impressive player of the day on the court. Zach Harper of ESPN remarked to me that he was like Reggie Evans, if Reggie Evans had any skills with the ball.

* Casper Ware turned the ball over at least 5 times during his 3-on-3 game, and remember, I could only watch him for the last 5 minutes.

Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn also spoke at the end of the day regarding the depth of the draft, the process of deciding who to pick and a few other topics including Ricky Rubio's injury. Canis Hoopus has the interview transcribed:

Is your gut feeling that the roster you had last year will stay basically the same with the addition of a draft pick or two, or do you feel there will be some significant movement?

Kahn: Well, I think it will largely remain the same, when you think about some of the key players here, as I said at the end of the season. I mean, you know for example, Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love will be back. That's a given. And there's probably, without naming names, I could name 5 or 6 names that I'm pretty certain will be back. And that's not to say that everybody else will be gone, but I do think there will be some turnover. I think the guts of the team will, in some respects, remain the same. But we need to get better. And we will get better.

Friday will bring another set of players to Minnesota for another set of pre-draft workouts.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, head over to Canis Hoopus. More news and analysis on the NBA can be found over at SB Nation's NBA hub, and more on the upcoming draft can be found at the specialized NBA Draft hub.

NBA Draft Workouts: Robbie Hummel Among Prospects To Work Out In Minnesota On Friday

The Minnesota Timberwolves hosted the first day of their now-annual NBA Draft workout on Thursday and, while there's not much to be reported about three-on-three workouts of second round prospects, it seems as though everything went about as planned.

It sounds like former Gopher killer John Shurna was a bit overwhelmed by those in attendance -- including Larry Bird, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and Rod Thorn of the Brooklyn Nets, among others -- but that's to be expected at this point in the process.

Those same executives, along with representatives from almost every other team, are expected to be in attendance once again on Friday when the following players converge on the Twin Cities.

Friday - Session 1:

Kim English, G, Missouri - Averaged 14.5 points and 1.6 assists during his senior season and became one of Mizzou's top scoring options during a 30-5 campaign.

Justin Hamilton, C, Louisiana State - Averaged 12.9 and 7.2 rebounds per game after sitting out a year due to transfer; shot 49.4 percent from the field and had five games with 20-plus points.

Robbie Hummel, F, Purdue - A staple of Purdue's squad since 2007-08, Hummel was All-Big Ten First Team in 2008, 2010 and 2012 and AP All-America Honorable Mention in 2010 and 2012; finished ninth in program history with 1,772 points

Orlando Johnson, G, UC Santa Barbara - UCSB's all-time leading scorer with 1,825 points, Johnson was a three-time All-Big West First Team selection and the 2008-09 Big West Player of the Year

Julian Mavunga, F, Miami (OH) - Earned All-MAC honors as a junior and a senior; shot 44.1 percent from the field and scored 16.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior.

Tony Mitchell, F, Alabama - Scored 13.1 points and added 7.2 rebounds per game during his junior year with the Crimson Tide

Friday - Session 2:

Marcus Denmon, G, Missouri - Led the Tigers with 17.7 points per game and shot 40.7 percent from 3-point range during his senior season; 2011-12 consensus All-America Second Team selection

JaMychal Green, F, Alabama - Scored 14.0 points per game and shot 54.6 percent from the field during his senior season at Alabama

Darius Johnson-Odom, G, Marquette - 2011-12 All-Big East First Team selection and AP All-America Honorable Mention; averaged 18.3 points per game as a senior

Kyle O'Quinn, F, Norfolk State - First player in MEAC history to win conference player of the year and defensive player of the year; scored 26 points and added 14 rebounds as 15th-seeded NSU upset second-seeded Missouri in the 2012 NCAA tournament

Robert Sacre, C, Gonzaga - Finished career with 1,270 points and finished sixth in program history with 679 rebounds; averaged 11.6 points and 6.3 rebounds as a senior

Mike Scott, F, Virginia - Named All-ACC First Team as a senior; averaged 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in his final season with the Cavaliers.

Robbie Hummel is probably the most recognizable name, but a lot of the players for Friday were able to put together very solid college careers and could make for intriguing second round picks.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA Draft 2012: Pre-Draft Workout In Minneapolis Attracts Majority Of League

A slew of NBA general managers and coaches will be at the Target Center on Thursday and Friday for pre-NBA Draft workouts, according to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press.

From Walters' post:

Among the reasons the Timberwolves are hosting an NBA scouting camp for 24 late first-round and early second-round draft prospects Thursday and Friday at Target Center is Minneapolis' proximity for the league and pleasant weather this time of year.

Most of the NBA's general managers and coaches will attend the 3-on-3 workouts. Among those not attending will be Wolves coach Rick Adelman, who'll be in town later in June for individual player workouts.

For all of the players expected to be in attendance, stay tuned to this StoryStream.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page, or at SB Nation's YouTube channel:

NBA Draft 2012: Minnesota Timberwolves Hosting Group Workout

The 2012 NBA Draft order will be cemented following Wednesday night's lottery, but the hometown Minnesota Timberwolves will be slotted at No. 18 regardless of how the lottery ball lands. That doesn't mean this week is without exciting draft news, though, because the team is hosting its now-annual group workout once again.

The Wolves will host a bevy of NBA prospects, along with other teams, beginning Thursday morning as they get their first extended looks at some of this year's top prospects. And, thanks to the fine folks with the Timberwolves PR department, we know who is going to be in attendance on Day 1.

Thursday's first workout includes the following prospects:

• J'Covan Brown, a 6-foot-1 combo guard who played his college years for the Texas Longhorns.
• Drew Gordon, a 6-foot-9 power forward that split his amateur career between the UCLA Bruins andNew Mexico Lobos.
• Former Duke Blue Devils big man Miles Plumlee.
• 6-foot-7 Spanish guard Tomas Satoransky will make the trek from Spain.
• John Shurna, a forward from the Northwestern Wildcats that Gophers fans are all too familiar with.
• Memphis Tigers wing Wesley Witherspoon will round out the morning group.

The second group coming in on Thursday includes another decent batch of possible prospects, too:

• Baylor Bears forward Quincy Acy,
• Marquette Golden Eagles do-it-aller Jae Crowder,
• Iona Gaels point guard Scott Machado,
• Ramone Moore, a Temple Owls wingman who impressed at Portsmouth,
• Tennessee Tech guard Kevin Murphy,
• And last, but not least, Long Beach State's Casper Ware.

None of these players are likely to be selected by the Wolves in the first round, but it certainly doesn't hurt to bring in second round candidates that might also be possibilities for Minnesota's Summer League team if they end up going undrafted.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.