The Portland Trail Blazers hosted projected first-round picks Kasparas Jakucionis and Collin Murray-Boyles for a private workout this past weekend just days before the NBA Draft, a league source has confirmed to Blazer’s Edge.
1080TheFan’s Danny Marang first reported the news.
These are two of the more notable prospects the Blazers have hosted for a workout during the pre-draft cycle. Both are viable candidates Portland could select with its No. 11 overall pick, the only pick the Blazers own heading into the draft.
Jakucionis, the 6-foot-6 freshman guard out of Illinois, is viewed as a savvy playmaker with size and a scoring punch. During his lone season with the Fighting Illini, Jakucionis averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 31.8 minutes per game, while shooting 44.0% from the floor and 31.8% from the 3-point arc. He was sent to Portland with the No. 11 pick in the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo. According to a sampling of mock drafts from across the media landscape (ESPN, the Ringer, The Athletic, SB Nation and Yahoo), Jakucionis’ draft range falls between pick Nos. 8-11.
Murray-Boyles, the 6-foot-7 sophomore forward from South Carolina, is often touted as the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft class. He’s expected to be able to defend multiple positions with his versatility and toughness while providing utility on offense with his finishing and feel. During his sophomore season, Murray-Boyles averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 58.6% from the field and 26.5% on 3s. According to that same mock draft sampling, Murray-Boyles’ draft range falls between pick Nos. 6-19.
Murray-Boyles and Jakucionis stopped by Portland this weekend with not too much time left to spare. The first round of the NBA Draft takes place Wednesday, with the second round continuing the event Thursday.
Here’s the updated full list of prospects who have worked out for the Blazers during the pre-draft cycle.