KNEW JAY CUTLER WOULD BLOW IT
Once considered a long shot to get drafted, St. Joseph's Ahmad Nivins is climbing up the NBA draft boards.
Several mock drafts have the 6-foot-9, 235-pound power forward going in the second round.
"I'm excited," Nivins said of tomorrow's draft. "Who wouldn't be excited? You have the opportunity to have your named called to play in the best league in the world."
Some mock drafts have the Jersey City native being the 40th to 60th player selected.
Hoopsworld has the Bobcats using the 40th pick on Nivins. Examiner.com expects the Trail Blazers to pick him at No. 55. Mynbadraft.com has the Suns taking him two picks later. And Draft Express has the Heat using the 60th and last pick on Nivins.
But if you think he's taking that "I'm-guaranteed-to-get-drafted approach," you're way off.
"There's still a lot of people who think that I won't get drafted," said Nivins, who plans to watch the draft at his parents' house in Jersey City.
At St. Joe's, Nivins averaged 19.2 points and 11.8 rebounds a game this past season en route to earning Atlantic Ten and Big Five player-of-the-year honors. He set the Hawks' school record for career field-goal percentage (62.7). Nivins also finished his career ranked third in scoring (1,789 points) and sixth in rebounds (955) at St. Joe's.
Despite those impressive statistics, Examiner.com reports most scouts have questions about his athleticism and explosiveness at the NBA level.
"I can bring energy" to an NBA team," Nivins said. "I can be someone who can provide a spark right away. I will do whatever the coaches ask of me.
"That goes hand in hand with me being coachable."
Nivins hopes he proved those things in workouts for NBA teams. His 12th and final workout is today in Cleveland with the Cavaliers. About 20 NBA teams were present at workouts in Minnesota and New Jersey. As a result, all 30 teams had a look at him.
Trying too hard to impress, Nivins struggled during his first workout with the Celtics on May 20. Getting drafted, Nivins said, was "not something I could imagine as a freshman or in high school."
More relaxed now, Nivins said he performed better the following day at a workout with the Pacers. Shortly afterward, he couldn't wait to show his skills.
"I think it's a win-win situation," Nivins said of the workouts. "You get to go against guys who are elite athletes. It makes me realize that I can compete at this level. I can prosper at this level."
Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-8029 or kpompey@phillynews.com.
