With the draft less than a week away, the 76ers hosted a pre-draft workout
Friday that featured six more prospects.
Here’s some of what was said following the practice:
Mahir Johnson
Goldey-Beacom College
While potential lottery picks tend to dominate the narrative at this time of
year, the 76ers have made way for a few lesser-known prospects to shine on the
big stage.
Mahir Johnson, who grew up just fifteen miles from the Training Complex and
attended Sixers games as a young fan, is now one of those prospects.
“It’s just a blessing for me to get the opportunity to work out for the Sixers.
It’s something that I won’t ever forget.” Johnson said. “I came a long way, put
in a lot of hours in the gym just to get to this point right here.”
76ers Senior Director of Scouting Vince Rozman says evaluating players like
Johnson, who may have flown under the radar in college, is worthwhile.
“Mahir is a solid guard. He’s from Chester, he played locally. So to get those
guys in, see them in a different setting is helpful.”
From Chester High School, to two seasons at Delaware State, and two more at
Goldey-Beacom, Johnson said every phase of his journey has been worth it:
“Advice that I would give to my younger self is just to keep pushing. Always
just keep pushing, stay positive. The situation may not look how you want it to
look in the moment, but just keep pushing. Keep working hard, and everything is
going to work out for you. Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. I don’t care what it
is, whatever it is that you’re doing, hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. That’s
what I would tell my younger self.”
Prospects going to work. pic.twitter.com/YPoL7R0KzD– Philadelphia 76ers
(@sixers) June 14, 2019
Prospects going to work. pic.twitter.com/YPoL7R0KzD
Kyle Alexander
Tennessee
Tennessee standout Kyle Alexander said that keeping in touch with his Tennessee
teammates on the pre-draft circuit helps him get through the grind. He said that
one of his primary goals as he visits each team is to showcase his range:
“The NBA is changing. Bigs need to be able to be versatile. You look at Joel
Embiid, he can step out and show his range. So that’s definitely something I’ve
been working on. I like the fact that I got to practice — not just trying to
show them I can shoot threes — but these workouts are an opportunity to get
better too, with people watching.”
Daulton Hommes
Point Loma Nazarene
Daulton Hommes, a 6-foot-8 wing from Lynden, WA, visited the Sixers for his 11th
workout. Hommes said that as demanding as the pre-draft process may be, he’s
savored the moments and prioritized keeping his body ready:
” was good. It’s getting towards the end, so I’m starting to feel that fatigue
and get a little tired, but every day’s another opportunity. So I’m just working
for it. The main thing I’ve been trying to show teams is that at the next level,
I’ll be a versatile defender, and a versatile playmaker on offense as well.”
Media Content: https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/pre-draft-workout-recap-61419
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Philadelphia Sixers, Philadelphia 76ers
Media Thumbnail: https://www.nba.com/sixers/sites/sixers/files/mahir_0.jpg
Taxonomy: NBA Draft, Pre-Draft Workout
Story Link: https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/pre-draft-workout-recap-61419
